Winning the Toughest Battles

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that I absolutely cannot watch movies that are scary or gory… BUT it might surprise you to know that some of my favorite stories in the Bible (at least in the Old Testament) are ones of battle! Why, you ask? It’s because I’m still amazed at how God made WORSHIP a KEY to victory! In story after story in the Old Testament, God gives us plenty of examples on how worship is part of His formula to overcome obstacles – even in winning mighty battles that seemed hopeless! Here is a cliff-notes version of one of my favorite battles (found in 2 Chronicles 20):

When three enemies (men from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir) tried to attack the people of Judah, King Jehoshaphat did the unthinkable… Instead of calling his army together to strategically plan out a defensive or counter-offensive measure, he instead called every single person in Judah to a fast and to come to the temple to worship and pray. Men, women, and children – EVERYONE came before the Lord, determined to WAIT until they heard from God on how to proceed. God ended up directing them to move to a safe place, and it says (my favorite verse of this passage) that “As they (the people of Judah) began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies and they were defeated.” The enemy armies ended up attacking and slaughtering each other, while the people of Judah were safely tucked away. The men of Judah went to an overlook and saw an entire battlefield full of all the dead warriors (of the enemies), and enough plunder that it took three days to collect it. (2 Chronicles 20)

I know some of that is a bit grotesque, BUT it’s such an incredible example of how God would want us to approach the battles we face in our everyday life! Here are a few precepts to victory:

- Our first response should always be to seriously seek God’s direction, being ready to wait if necessary. (Can you imagine the women and children waiting in that gathering? It wasn’t just the adult men who were called together - it was everyone!) Thinking on my own battles, how many times in the past have I tried to immediately solve something on my own first instead of seeking the Lord? OR I didn’t want to be patient and wait for an answer, so I jumped in with my plan and asked God to make it work? When the pressure comes, we should work to seek God FIRST.

- Sing and praise in the midst of the battle. My favorite verse says that it was AS they began to sing and praise that the ambushes against the enemy were set. Why do you think God did it that way? I don’t have a definitive answer to that one, but I know that when I begin to praise God, the eyes of my heart are taken off of myself… I begin to focus on God, and the things that once seemed so big, awful and impacting suddenly seem smaller and not as big of a deal. Praise changes our perspective, and in a battle perspective is everything!

- Trust God’s protection. God gave them very clear instructions on where to go (and if you read up in 2 Chronicles 20, you’ll see that He actually had the people of Judah pass really close to one of the enemy armies that we coming against them!) BUT – they trusted God. He (of course) was faithful to His word, and the location He gave for them was a safe haven in the midst of an awful battle where thousands died.

Are you in the middle of any battles today? Why not take a minute right now and re-strategize with God? Press the pause button on your normal response mode, and ask God (being willing to wait for an answer) what He would like to direct you to do. Allow Him to give you an entirely new perspective and show you the way to victory… AND – Make sure to cover your environment with praise to help you keep your eyes, heart and mind focused on the right place.

"My God is more than enough, He shall supply all my needs. He’s my El Shaddai, He looks out for me. Jehovah Jireh, He is my God. So why should I worry about the highs and the lows? The ups and the downs? When by my faith I know - My God is more than enough!” - Praise Song “Jehovah Jireh”