The Battle Is Not Yours

If you’ve ever seen a war movie, then you know that just before the climatic battle begins the hero will give a speech which emboldens the soldiers to run bravely into battle. King Jehoshaphat found himself surrounded by three nations, all of whom had declared war against Jerusalem. Three nations declared war against one, but rather than devise a battle plan and ready the troops, King Jehoshaphat recognized how helpless he was and turned to God.

“O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

King Jehoshaphat did not give an inspiring Hollywood speech, but rather a wise and humble prayer. How many times have you felt powerless and like you didn’t know what to do? In those times, did you try to overcome the powerlessness and devise a plan on your own or did you pray like King Jehoshaphat? He was wise and humble enough to know and admit that he did not know what to do. So instead he did the wisest thing anyone can do—he looked to God for help. By turning to the Lord for help, he recognized that he was not the one in control and he directed the eyes of the people off of himself to onto God. 

“As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there.” (2 Chronicles 20:13-14a)

We can try to fight our way through our problems on our own but it only points to ourselves and it rarely gets us anywhere. When we look to God for help, it can direct others to look to Him too. As King Jehoshaphat lead and all the people looked to God, the Spirit of the Lord came upon a descendant of Levi whose name was Jahaziel. Boldly, Jahaziel spoke up and delivered the message God had given him.

“He said, ‘Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (…) But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!’” (2 Chronicles 20:15,17)

Jahaziel does not shy away from the weight of the moment; he speaks to all of the people of Judah and Jerusalem and to the King. As Christians, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit and we can speak boldly what the Spirit would have us say. The armies of three nations were threatening war and God’s message is to not let that discourage them. Why? Because the battle is not theirs. The battle belongs to God. We see this over and over in Scripture where God tells His people to not be discouraged or afraid because He is in control. It’s true in our lives today, too; we don’t have to be discouraged by threats warring around us because the battle belongs to God. If we feel discouraged or afraid, it may be that we are holding onto control. In order to find peace in the chaos and threats, we must recognize that we are not in control, that the battle is not ours—it’s God’s. 

“Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, ‘Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.’ After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’  (2 Chronicles 20:20-21)

This is the speech before the battle. Jehoshaphat turned to the people of Judah and Jerusalem and told them that they will be able to stand firm if they believe in the Lord. It’s the same for us; we will be able to stand firm in front of the coming attack if we believe in the Lord our God. Jehoshaphat did not draw a sword or a weapon of man before the fight. Instead, he appointed singers to walk ahead of the army and praise God. Worship is a powerful weapon given to us by the Lord. As we stand firm in Him against any attack, let us raise a hallelujah, and as the popular song says, let our weapon be a melody.

“At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. (…) So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.” (2 Chronicles 20:22, 24)

At the very moment the weapon of worship was used, the Lord caused the enemy armies to destroy themselves. The battle is not ours, it’s God’s. Be humble and wise as King Jehoshaphat was. Admit when you don’t have the answers. Be still and watch the Lord’s victory. In this constant battle, fight with His weapons and stand firm because you believe in the Lord. The battle is not yours, it’s God’s. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed