“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!
Related upcoming events
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20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
