The Battle Is Not Yours

Devotional by Sherry Amor

2 Chronicles 20:1-28

When Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, realizes that their enemies the Ammonites and Moabites are set for war against them, the King establishes a fast for the entire kingdom.

In his initial prayer, Jehoshaphat gives reverence to God (v.6) and references King Solomon’s prayer over the people after the temple is built (2 Chronicles 6:22-42). He also reminds God of his covenant promise to Abraham (v.7; Genesis 12:2; 17:6-8).

After this prayer, Jehoshaphat comes with his petition to God about the impeding war. And Jehoshaphat’s prayer is this:

            “And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir…how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O. our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company…. neither do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (2 Chronicles 20:10-12)

God’s response is simple:

            “…Be not afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you….fear not, nor be dismayed….for the Lord will be with you.” (20:15-17)

Jehoshaphat and the people respond to this answer with praise and thanksgiving (v. 19). The following day, while the army of Judah is ready to battle, they begin to sing (v. 21-22). And while Judah was singing, the Lord sent against the Ammonites, Moabites, and people of Seir to attack one another. When Judah had finally gotten to the battleground, they were met with numerous treasures and jewels to take back for their own (v. 25-26). And in response to this miracle, Judah praise yet again. Before, During, and After the battle, Judah was praising.

The initial action of Judah when faced with a conflict should be how we all respond. There is a pattern we see:

·      Conflict

·      Talk to God about said conflict

·      Remind God of who He is/Who we know He is

·      See God work

We see this pattern in many stories, but I want to highlight two: David with Goliath, and Mary in Cana of Galilee.

David (Exodus 32:11-14)

When our young would-be-king David confronts the giant Goliath, he proclaims these words:

“You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you.. for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

David's conflict was Goliath. His unwavering faith in God is what delivered him from the Philistines, because this declaration reminded God that David knew who He was. When you re-read the story, you see that there isn't a section where David prays to God or goes to a secret place. But that is because David—as a shepherd—kept to himself and his sheep. He had been in God's presence plenty of times, which prepared him for this very moment (1 Samuel 17:34-37). Having faith and a willingness to go with God's plan is repeated again in the story of Jehoshaphat and Judah.

Mary (John 2:3-11)

In this first miracle of Jesus, the initial conflict is that there is no more wine for the wedding. Mary goes to Jesus and tells him that there is no wine. One thing I wondered about this story was of all the people to go to with this issue, why would Mary go to Jesus? It is because Mary already knew who Jesus was/is. Her commission to bring in the Savior was told her by the angel Gabriel, and Mary’s first response to this incredulous circumstance was praise (Luke 1:46-55). Mary knew Jesus was the expected Savior, even if she did not know how He was going to save. Mary likewise knew who Jesus was, because in multiple stories, we see that she “pondered these things in her heart” (Luke 2:19, 51). When Mary is told these prophesies about her Son, she thinks on them, and she begins to understand the immense power that is Jesus.

So at this wedding, when Mary goes to Jesus, it is because Mary knows that Jesus can fix the issue. She goes to Jesus because she knows who He is. She explains the issue, and presents her supplication to Him, and by doing so, communicates to Jesus “I have faith, that you can do this.” And when Jesus gives His response, that “His time has not yet come”, Mary response to this circumstance with obedience. She instructs the servants to "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2:5). Afterwards, Jesus turns the water into wine, which blesses the wedding. So in going to Jesus, Mary helps bring forth Jesus’ first miracle.

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When we have a conflict, issue, problem, that seems impossible to solve, our first instinct should be praise and obedience. Just as Jehoshaphat and Judah obeyed God by going out to the battleground, and had their deliverance come during their praise, so will some of our breakthroughs come while we’re praising. Because when you’re worshipping God, in His holy presence, you aren’t worried, or angry, or giving into temptation. And when you are away from those things, then God is able to work on them without your influence, and your focus. Because focusing on the negativity and anxiety only festers our doubt and fears.

But when we turn our eyes to God, and focus only on Him, we can’t be doubtful or fearful. And at that point, the battles we are facing are no longer ours to worry about but belong completely to God.

-Sherry Amor