The Battle is the Lord’s
Have
you ever had a morning when you woke up feeling that Satan must be working
overtime on you? It happens to me all
the time, especially just before some big ministry event when everything seems
to go wrong.
For
example, one day we were preparing to return to India in just a few short
weeks. And what happens? Our truck had a cracked exhaust manifold,
Alice had the flu for two weeks, and I had this overwhelming feeling that
nothing was getting done.
But
the Bible reminds us that the battle belongs to God. 2 Chronicles 32:8 tells us, “…but with us is
the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.”
On
December 2, 2015, 14 lives were ended. There
are so many families and lives in San Bernardino, California that have been
impacted by this shocking act. So many
people, believers and unbelievers alike, are asking, “WHY?” I can’t even begin to answer this question,
yet in my opinion, it is just more evidence of how much this world needs Jesus.
We
live in a broken world; hurting people hurt other people. Nothing can be done to bring back the lives of
those so violently cut short. But as
Christians, there is action we can take. God calls us to be His vessels; His hands and
feet in a place lacking true love and worth.
It
may be easy to “rejoice with those who rejoice,” but we must also be willing to
“mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15) We can be who God calls us to be, here and
now, there and then.
“Therefore,
since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart…For God,
who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts
to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:1, 6)
Not
only is He the light of the world, but He sheds His light on us that we may
then be the light of the Gospel. There
is no doubt in my mind that God never stops speaking to His people; the
question is, are we listening?
But
how can we be the light if we have not accepted Him ourselves? If we truly know Him, how can we not desire
that everyone experience the same relationship with Him that we have?
We are God’s vessels,
and we are to represent Christ in our lives. 2 Corinthians 4:7 talks about how we are like “jars
of clay” and it is from God that we have power and grace. We are only human, and we are bombarded with
trouble and trials continually. Our time
on this earth is short, yet through all of this, God is preparing us for
greater tasks and unseen glories.
Nearly
every day I am reminded that what God has in store for us is greater than
anyone could ever imagine. And this
alone should encourage each of us to look up to Him, and to the road ahead. So, do not lose heart!
Coming back full circle, the battle does belong to the Lord. This
doesn’t mean that we sit around and do nothing. This means that we keep walking in faith, and
learn and do what God says. If we can’t
imagine our lives without Him, why would we want anyone else to face life (and
death) without Him?
Listen
to what 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 says, “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…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your
positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah
and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them
tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'”
We
can trust God because He already knows what the outcome will be. This prepares us for the battle. No matter the situation, God is bigger and
will bring us through whatever the trial or temptation. Just seek His face and cover yourself with His
protection every day.
And
finally, “…be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10)
Can God change your
life?
God has made it
possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing change in your own
life.
Discover how you can
find peace with God.
