“He said, Listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God” - 2 Chronicles 20:18 (NIV)

Every now and then kids do prepare for national exams. Usually that moment of going to sit for exams has been preceded with a series of activities in preparation. One would have been reading hard before that day. Sometimes this would have involved waking up early to catch the “early bird” or staying up late to burn “the midnight oil.”

And then it is all over. The kid step gingerly into the exam room, the papers are opened by the invigilator and at the dot of the clock, all start and fire away. There is little at that point one can do but depend completely on the Lord!

This is the thrust of our passage today. At a certain point our battles should be given to the Lord. No matter the preparation of the Israelites who were now pitched in battle against the Maobites, Amonites and Meonites, it was now up to the Lord to deliver them. Fortunately led by King Jehoshaphat they turned to the Lord, who not just gave them a word of comfort but delivered them that day.

It is well and good to prepare for any tasks, as should be. But in the end it is always important to remember that no matter our preparations, at a certain point we have to surrender all, for the battle belongs to the Lord!

Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the mighty name of Jesus of Nazareth, that having done all there is I surrender everything to you for the battle belongs to you!