"The Battle!"
“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 the vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s."'” 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)
How hard is it to wrap your mind around this scripture? I know for me (if I am truly honest) I take on the battle in my own strength, but why? Because of fear and a desire to control. But this is what the Lord keeps whispering in my ear: "SURRENDER” and “LET GO!” The battle is Mine, not yours to fight.
My Story . . .
Over the past two years my family has faced many challenges, twists and turns. Core lies that I had believed about myself, God, and others were exposed. The fight seemed at times overwhelming. In fact, the battle was quite exhausting not only physically but spiritually. Why? Because I tried to fight in my flesh. What about you? When fear threatens and the desire to control mushrooms, how do you respond? When you suddenly are thrust into multiple situations that are extremely overwhelming, who wins? Your flesh? Or do you surrender, let go, and allow God to fight your battle? For me it was not easy!
What Does the Bible Tell Us? . . .
First and foremost the Bible teaches that we are to be prepared for the battle, for we as Believers are all in a daily Spiritual War!
1 Peter 1:13 says, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Every day we need to get up, get dressed, and get into His Word to prepare our minds to focus on Him.
Are You Ready Each Day for the Fight of Faith? . . .
We must get ready, be ready, and stay ready to engage the enemy and resist his lies.
We daily must seek the Lord through prayer and His Word, in order to receive His truths on what we are to do when we are burdened down. Otherwise we can become overwhelmed with circumstances and negative situations. But God has provided an answer so that we do not need to become overwhelmed. Receive His truth for your weary soul. LOOK UP HIGHER! Seek His will and His way!
Luke 21:34 says, “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap"
What happens when we only see our circumstances is that we lose sight and are unable to engage with His peace, joy, and rest. This is super hard to do. But the more we practice and prepare ours minds, and begin to self-regulate our insides, the sooner we will gain the victory. We need to look unto Jesus and use the faith He has given us.
Finally, We Need to Become and Stay Alert!. . .
We need to WAKE UP! The seasons in our lives can change rapidly. Souls could perish in an instant. Therefore, we, as Believers, need to be alert and engaged, prepared every moment to pray, to fight, to listen for the Lord's direction, and overcome the enemy on every front.
Revelation 16:15 states clearly, “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed”
The Bible teaches us be prepared and alert, then to wake up, become alive, and engage in the fight.
We must become aware of the battle that rages all around us.
Ask Yourself . . .
"Am I willing to be prepared, alert, and ready to engage at all times?"
For, what happens when we get tired and exhausted? If we quit or lay down, we become vulnerable and an easy prey for the enemy. However, what if no matter what, we got up, got dressed, hit our prayer room, and read His Word every day? We would be stronger spiritually and well able to recognize the enemy's lies and know how to counteract them using the weapons of our warfare: The Name of Jesus, His blood, and the word of our testimony.
Now, I get it when sometimes we cannot even pray. I have been there more often than I would like to admit. But this is your word for today. GET UP! And keep going! Reach out to other Believers who would agree with you in faith. Look up! Pray believing and trusting that He - Jesus - will bring you through.
The Battle May Not Cease . . .
In fact, the fight usually only intensifies. So, how can we make the shift? Not just to cope or simply survive, but to thrive and be victorious?
~~ Be Prepared
~~ Be Alert at All Times
~~ Engage in the Fight
Are you willing to begin by being diligent with your time and talents throughout the day?
Jesus, tells us (the Bride of Christ) to wake up those who sleep, and arise to your King Who is coming for His Bride. Will you be ready and prepared? Will you keep your lamp burning, not let it go out, and hold on to His promises, no matter what?
Every day we need to encourage each other to press on through the suffering, through the pain, and past the fear. Never run or become isolated or ever quit. He promises us if we resist the enemy (the devil) he will flee from us. My friend, it will be worth it in the end! WILL YOU TRUST THE LORD with your life? Your kids’ lives?
Pray With Me . . .
Father God, AWAKEN, your Bride. Whisper in our ears. Open our eyes and minds to be prepared, alert, and engaged through your WORD and in daily prayer. Lord, my heart’s desire is to be part of Your faithful Bride who is waiting on and ministering to her King. So, Lord, I repent of anything in my heart that keeps me from fully being prepared, engaged, and alert in You each day. Show me how to use the weapons of our warfare that You gave us so we will win the battle.
In Jesus' precious and HOLY NAME. Amen.
Scriptures to Ponder . . .
1 Thessalonians 5:6: “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”
Ephesians 5:14: “AWAKE, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Matthew 24:42: “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”
Revelation 12:11a: "They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed"
James 4:7: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
~ Elizabeth Bowman