The Battle is the Lord’s!

“They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.”

1 Chronicles 5:20

When you’re in the middle of conflict, it’s not hard to remember to cry out to God.  You usually feel desperate.  These men of Israel were skilled warriors and they were waging war in their endeavor to possess the territory God had given them (1 Chron. 5:19). They were armed with shields, swords, and bows, but their greatest weapon was prayer.

I think God has given each of us “territory” so to speak that we need to do battle over.  It might be our family, or our ministry, or our job.  As soon as we cry out to God during battle—whatever that battle may be—the battle becomes God’s and not ours! (As the popular song says,  “Let It Go!”)   Our part is to “fight,” to learn the skills of standing up against God’s enemies, and to wield the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God—Ephesians 6:17).  Prayer is a great weapon.  As we trust God and use our armour correctly, we gain ground.

All of us have ground to gain in the battle between good and evil. Some of us are fighting for our homes and families. Some of us are fighting despair, fear, worry, or depression.  Some of us are fighting to gain confidence. If we will cry out to God during the battle, we will occupy the “land.”  God will show us how to “fight.”  (in other words, stop striving and spend time with Him and let Him fight)

However, once the battle is “won,” we must then sustain the victory. We need to keep on crying out and God will keep on giving victory or peace in the absence of what we thought victory looked like! Prayer helps us remember that, above all, the battle is God’s (1 Chron. 5:22)—He will fight for us.  A possible prayer:
Lord, today I am in the middle of a very real battle. I see the danger and find myself trying to figure it all out.  I will choose to cry out to you and let you fight for me. I will keep my eyes on You and receive Your victory and peace. Amen

Blessings,

Thora