“He said, ‘Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s’.” 2 Chronicles 20:15
In 2 Kings 6-7 and 2 Chronicles 6, we see three stories of God’s people facing overwhelming circumstances. From Elisha being surrounded by a vast army, to Samaria being besieged into starvation, to invaders coming to wipe Israel off the map, God’s people were outnumbered and out of options. Although these natural circumstances left some feeling hopeless, they were never without The Option, that is The Lord God Himself. In all three accounts, God showed up for His people in an abundant way, and in doing so, defeated the adversaries while bringing His people overflowing blessing.
We may not be facing the same circumstances as they were, but when crisis finds us, it’s important to remind ourselves of the truth Jahaziel told the people in 2 Chronicles 20:15, and that is the truth that, “The battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Although it may not feel easy in the moment, it’s of utmost importance, in moments of challenge, that we keep our focus on our Lord, reminding ourselves that He is here to fight for us when we feel helpless. He wants to do for us what He has always been faithful to do for His people throughout time and history: to bring us to overwhelming victory and blessing, even more so when we are facing great odds.
So why is He so interested in doing this for us? The main reason is because He loves us so much! He’s proven this through giving us His Son, Jesus, as our sacrifice for righteousness. Jesus is the best thing the Father could have ever given us. So if that’s true, then giving us overwhelming victory and blessing when faced with the challenges of life are nothing in comparison. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:32, “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”
Today, no matter what you may be facing, encourage yourself in God’s truth that this battle is not yours, but the Lord’s!