Thursday, June 22, 2006

The Battle is the Lord's

The Battle is the Lord's but We Still Need to Suit-up.

"Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's." 1 Samuel 17:47

"And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:13-14

It is rather a difficult thing to understand the balance between our effort and God's power. I have often heard the statement, "Let go and let God." It sounds great but if taken to the extreme it seems to absolve us from any responsibility. I remember a comment a woman made to me once when I asked her about forgiving the person she was angry at. Her response was, "Well, God isn't doing it, so I'm not either." Her theology was in grave error.
Although the battle is the LORD's and He fights for us, we need to show up in full armor ready for battle. We need to take a proactive approach to warding off sin. Why else would we be told; "...be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

I know I have used this illustration before but it fits here again. Recall the story in Joshua 10:7-11, "So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you." Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal. So the LORD routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword."
God told Joshua that He had delivered Gibeon into Joshua's hands, but Joshua still had to show up and do battle.
The victory God has already won is experienced by us, one victorious choice at a time.
Diane

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