Big Battles
One thing I’ve learned, as I’ve grown older and hopefully wiser, is which battles to fight and which ones to work around. They are definitely some things I should fight for because of the issue or the principle involved. At other times, the battle really isn’t worth it because it’s just my opinion versus someone else’s opinion. I really do think I’m right whenever I head into a battle and there are times I’m on the losing side of a battle.
When God’s people, the Israelites were getting ready to take the Promised Land, there were three tribes who like the land east of the Jordan so they made a commitment to take that land and settle there. They also promised to go with the rest of the tribes/families to help them take the land. They learned some important lessons about the battle. Check this out…
18 The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service—able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle. 19 They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20 They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. 21 They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep and two thousand donkeys. They also took one hundred thousand people captive, 22 and many others fell slain, because the battle was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile. (1 Chronicles 5:18-22 NIV)
That one phrase jumped into my lap this morning… “because the battle was God’s”. I needed to be reminded that the battles I face really aren’t mine. If I’m walking within His Will and His Way for my life, then He takes care of fighting the battles on my behalf. I only have to go to Him and lay all my “crap” before Him. He has strong shoulders. He’s incredibly patient with me. He has UNLIMITED RESOURCES to fight any battle with.
I love this song by Chris Tomlin, “Whom Shall I Fear”
You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
Pressing ON!
Dwayne