The battle is not ours

Do you ever feel like you're in a battle?  Not a spiritual one, although all of us are in a spiritual battle.  No, I mean a real, physical, day-to-day battle, a struggle to stay alive and to keep afloat?  All of us have had situations in our lives that have threatened to overwhelm us.  And usually, they are not 1 big thing, but rather daily small battles that build and build and build until you feel completely overwhelmed.  It could be a chronic illness, or stressful job, or problems with your marriage, or insolent and sullen children....whatever the cause, you feel overwhelmed, overtaken by the battles raging in your life, and under equipped to handle them. 

But the wonderful thing is that God tells us in His word that the battle is not ours to handle.  In 2 Chronicles we find the story of King Jehoshaphat, and the Israelites' defeat of the Ammonites and Moabites.  Their enemies were bigger and stronger than them, and I'm sure the Israelites felt overwhelmed, helpless, and hopeless.  It seemed a lost cause - it was impossible for them to defeat the Ammonites and Moabites!

But the battle is not ours, but God's.  And nothing is impossible for Him.  So, as the Lord told King Jehoshaphat, take up your position!  Stand firm and see the deliverance that the Lord will give you.  Because He will give it to you.  He is faithful, even when we are not.

2 Chronicles 20:15-17

 ¹⁵ He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”