Not Your Battle

2 Chronicles 20:15b

Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Jehoshaphat was being attacked by several surrounding armies, including nations God had not allowed Israel to pursue. In response to their grace, these nations rose up against Judah and Jerusalem because they saw them as a threat. The target of the attack was not just Judah but Judah’s God. These enemy nations were afraid because of how they saw God had blessed Judah and Jerusalem, and they sought to destroy the work of God. The battle was not Judah’s to fight; God, Himself, would intervene.

Our attacks often have nothing to do with our past, such as our failures, mistakes, or sin. We must remember that God is faithful to forgive our sins when we confess them. He judged our sin on the cross, but Satan often tries to convince our emotions we are being punished. On the contrary, most enemy attacks wage against us because of our future and the work God is doing in us and through us. The enemy wants to stop the work of God, and he attacks us since he cannot attack God directly. Such battles are not ours to fight. God intervenes to fight them for us when we face them in His armor.

Verse 21:b gives us the key to overcoming when the battle is the LORD’s:

Give thanks to the LORD, for His faithful love endures forever.

When Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and Jerusalem began thanking and praising God as they walked into battle, the enemy armies became confused and started destroying each other. Judah never had to fight, just as God had promised. When they reached the multitude of troops that had come against them, they were already defeated, and it took three days for Judah to gather all the plunder from their bodies! God not only gives us victory; He gives us back all the valuable things the enemy has stolen from us and multiplies it!

If you feel discouraged today, simply begin to thank God and praise Him for His faithful love, which endures forever. Psalm 138:8 assures us that God will fulfill His purpose for us and that His love is eternal. He will not abandon the work of His hands. Hallelujah! God dwells in the praises of His people, and His presence is more than enough to conquer the enemies that threaten His work in us.

Have a blessed day!