The Battle Is the Lord’s

Imagine that you were Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. His men had just told him that a vast army was coming against his nation. Jehoshaphat knew that, in the natural, there seemed to be no hope, and no way to resist this overwhelming opposition. As we might expect, he was “alarmed.” What would you have done?

He could have reacted with fear or panic. He could have given in to worry or doubt. Instead, he called everyone in the country to turn to God. He “resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.”

After this time of concentrated prayer, God spoke to him with words that brought peace, perspective, and assurance: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Each of us might face challenges like this. We may feel overwhelmed by the problems we face. We may feel discouraged or outnumbered. We may have reached a crossroads and have wondered what to do.

As he faced his crisis, Jehoshaphat turned to God. So should you.

His experience demonstrates why we need to focus not on our problems but on God. Instead of being consumed with worry and fear, we need to call on Him and seek His wisdom. As we commit our needs to Him, we can be assured that the battle is His, and that we can trust in Him.

As you face challenges, remember these lessons. Commit your battles to God. Follow the leading of His Spirit. And trust in Him.