Trusting God in Times of Conflict
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
I discuss the challenges Christians face when surrounded by non-believers, referred to as “enemies of the cross.” I mention that living a Christian life involves spiritual battles. Drawing on biblical examples like King Jehoshaphat, I encourage believers to seek the Lord for strength and to love those who oppose them, as these individuals bear heavy burdens.
What enemies? Where are the enemies?
Some people are blessed to work in an environment where people they work with are Christians. Some are blessed to be a homemaker with a husband who is a believer and the children are pre-believers.
Others do not live or work in this kind of setting. If you live or work where you are the only Christian, then you are surrounded by ‘enemies’. We think of the word enemies usually in a war or a battle context. But we forget, living the Christian life is one of battle. Those who are not saved are the mission field, but they ARE enemies of Christ. Therefore they are the enemy of the Christ in us.
For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I weep, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, (Philippians 3:18).
Moab and Ammon were gathered against Jehoshaphat and Judah. Jehoshaphat was afraid … the verse says. So what did the King of Judah do?
and turned his attention to seek the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:3).
Jehoshaphat immediately sought the Lord. He prayed, fasted, humbled himself, and gathered the People.
The LORD responded though Jahaziel the prophet-
“Listen, all you of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.'” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Do not fear! The battle is the Lord’s!
The prophecy promised deliverance without combat and directed the people to worship in advance of victory. Jahaziel’s message reaffirmed God’s covenant faithfulness and highlighted the prophetic dimension within the Levitical musician guilds. His words turned national panic into confident praise and remain a classic example of trusting the Lord in crisis. (Strong’s Hebrew).
If you are surrounded by enemies today, enemies of the cross and of the Christ in you, do not fear. Do not take it personally. It is the Lord they hate. Hasten to Jesus’ throne and cast your cares upon Him. His burden is light. They who are enemies of the cross stagger under a heavy burden. Sin is always heavy. But ours is light. Even better, we can cast it away to His feet. He cares for all the big and little things troubling you.
Love your enemy and seek the Lord’s help in learning how to love and care for those who kick against the goads. It’s hard, I know. But their load is heavier. We dwell in a strong tower with a firm foundation. They stagger and totter blindly, not knowing where they are going. We know where we are going. So if you are surrounded, you are not alone! Seek the Lord, He is there.
