CONFIDENT IN BATTLE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 32:8, ESV
Theme: Confidence comes from knowing that God is with us – and, despite a strong enemy, our limitless God is fighting for us.
AN ARM OF FLESH
“An arm of flesh” is imposing and intimidating. The things that look strong to us—power, influence, wealth, fame, and a vast army—can seem to stack the deck against any opposition.
When Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, came to conquer God’s people in Judah, he appeared unstoppable. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him” (2 Chronicles 32:7, ESV). King Hezekiah reminded the people that God’s strength is superior to any human might. Our enemy is strong. God is absolutely stronger – as long as He is with us.
WITH US IS THE LORD OUR GOD
Before fighting a battle, soldiers check to be sure they have their weapons, artillery, and comrades with them, ready for battle. If God isn’t with us... He won’t fight on our behalf. We can be confident in victory only after we check-in to make sure that “with us is the Lord our God.”
Sometimes I pick a fight without God’s direction. Sometimes I sin and fight against God’s plan! Claiming a phrase from the Bible out of context and applying it to my very-different situation is dangerous. When I pray to God, asking Him to fight my battles, I must first consider if the battle I’m facing is one I have been called to fight on God’s behalf or if I need to let it go.
NOT GOD’S BATTLE
God doesn’t teach all of us the same lesson at the same time. Once, I noticed a close friend and I shared the same shortcoming. I tried to share what God was teaching me on the topic and how it might apply to my friend’s life, also. My comments felt like accusations and judgement and were not well received. I thought I had the solution to my friend’s problem, but instead I created a new problem. God didn’t ask me to speak (not even gently) to my friend. What He actually called me to do was to accept my friend and overlook a small inconvenience with grace. He also called me to make some changes in my own behavior. I picked a petty fight. I projected God’s expectations of me onto my friend. I expected God to fight for me, but I wasn’t with Him. I didn’t even check for His presence before I rushed into unsanctioned battle.
CONFIDENT
Yet, even in my mistake, God fought for me. He didn’t provide the victory I expected. My friend didn’t learn anything. I didn’t help, I made things worse. Yet, God used my mistake to change my perspective. He fought to show me a better way to lead. God fights for us, sometimes even when we aren’t even fighting the right battle. Certainly, when we are with Him in battle, we can be confident. His strength with us is greater than any strong opposition.
Make It Personal: Pray and ask God if He is with you in your current battle(s). If yes, do you feel confident of victory? If no or unsure, what can you do to make sure you are with God before rushing to fight?
Pray: Lord God, You provide the sunrise every day. You created mountains and oceans. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes quiet at Your command. There is nothing Your strength and power can’t control. And yet, You offer direction and Your close presence when I call on You. There are so many battles raging. Help me to start by drawing close to You before anything else. I want turn from any fight where You aren’t with me. Help me to listen for Your voice. Help me to fight by praying first – not last or too late. When I am with You, I am confident of victory, even when that victory looks different than I expected. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: 2 Chronicles 32:1-23; Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 3:22; Jeremiah 1:19
Weekly Memory Verse: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1, ESV