The Battle is the Lord’s

“Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chron 20:15).

The earth is a spiritual war zone, and the wars being fought spiritually have their physical manifestations in our lives in diverse ways. Rev 12:7 clearly reveals this truth, it says that there was war in heaven and the devil and his angels prevailed not. The twelfth verse says ‘… Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time’. Paul the Apostle confirms this truth in Eph 6:12 that, ‘we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers….’ The truth is, regardless of your race, gender, age or vocation, you are at war with the devil and his kingdom, and his motive is to steal, kill and finally destroy you. Thank God the Bible says, ‘whatever is born of God overcomes the world…’ you are already a winner (1 John 5:4).

It is important to note that, our earthly warfare is a life long one. In every war there are different battles. The Second World War for instance, was made up of different battles. So the fact that one particular battle in your life has ended does not mean that the war is over, another battle will surely come, but the Bible says the weapons of our warfare are not canal but mighty pulling down strongholds (2 Cor 10:4). 

2 Chronicles 20 gives an account of Judah being ambushed by several nations from various directions. Sometimes, the troubles of life and our enemies come in multitudes and from various directions. King Jehoshaphat got news that, "a vast army is coming against you from Edom’.  Judah’s enemies were the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites. Interestingly, these enemies were distant relatives of Israel. Edom is another name for Esau, Jacob (Israel’s) twin brother. Moabites and Ammonites descended from Lot, who was Abraham’s nephew or Israel’s cousin (Genesis 19:36-38). Sometimes, the people closest to us are the people the devil uses against us. The good news is that, finally Jehoshaphat led Judah to defeat these enemies.

The keys that led to Israel’s victory and will lead to yours are;

1.    Listen to the word or guidance of God, every battle is different and should be approached as such (2 Chron 20:15, Prov 3:5).

2.    Realize that, the battle is the Lord’s and hand it over to Him, don’t rely on your own strength (2 Chron 20:15, Heb 2 :16).

3.    Do not be afraid nor discouraged by the fierceness of your battle, you have won it in advance (2 Chron 20:15, 17, Isaiah 41:10).

4.    The winning principle is the triumph of faith not the principle of the survival of the fittest (1 John 5:4, D. Oyedepo).

5.    Take a step of faith, go out to face the enemies, and the LORD will be with you (2 Chron 20:17).

6.    Stand firm (persevere) and see the deliverance the LORD will give you (2 Chron 20:17).

7.    Celebrate your victory and give glory to God after the battle is won (2 Chron 20:17-22).

8.    Finally, remember that strength is born out of struggle, through the battles we fight in different aspects of our lives, our spiritual strength and character is built up (James 1:2-4).