Christian Living

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The Battle Belongs to….


When I often ponder this scripture; I have no problem saying “Amen”.

The scenario surrounding this declaration from God is, Jehoshaphat and the Israelites are facing an overwhelming company of warriors set on destroying them. They know that there is no way they can defeat this enemy on their own, so their wise King, Jehoshaphat instructions them on how to deal with this situation by asking God for help. This was done prior to engaging the enemy. The Lord then tells them, “Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15 emphases mine.)

Okay, back to what I was saying. The problem for me with this scripture is implementation. There is more to this scripture than simply God handling things, but I will start there.

For example, in my home, I often want to control everything, or at least everything that pertains to me. The problem with this attitude is that I’m married, so where exactly does that leave my husband?

I also, have a tendency to complain about him on a regular basis. He has his quirks that drive me crazy, but who doesn’t.

Let me explain a little more of what I mean. In this day and age we seem to be a society that is quick to jump to conclusions. The media shows us something about someone who is suspected for something, and we have already decided what the person has done and why.

I mention this because this is one of the things that my husband does, he has a propensity to jump to conclusions on very sketchy information and decide why a person has done what they are did, or said what they said.

So at this point, you are probably wondering, what in the world is she rambling on about?
What I am confessing here is one of my battles that actually should belong to the Lord. Yet, I habitually do not ask for His help prior to the “verbal” attack that I cannot stand against on my own power. What I do is I ask for forgiveness after I have lost it, my temper that is. WRONG!!!

I see the enemy (not my husband, but Satan or one of his spirits) coming at me. He always knows what button to push to send me over the edge.

Now I know the Bible says, “When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.” (Ephesians 4:26 amp) I mean I am the first to admit that I naturally have a really, really bad temper. When angry I am ready to do serious harm. I also know this is definitely not of Christ.

So, instead of praying when I see a situation building, when I sense the enemy coming at me, instead of seeking God and His direction, I react. Or, I attempt to act as Christ would by my own power. I don’t think words describe the miserable failures I have experienced trying to fight this way. The few successes I have had have come when I have sought God first.

I now understand Jehoshaphat’s strategy. He didn’t wait until he was in the midst of the battle to call on God. He quickly surveyed the situation, and cried out to our Father in Heaven for help. He humbled himself.

So it comes down to something very simple I can either be humble and admit that I cannot defeat the enemy by my own power, or I can try and stand up in “righteous” indignation, and pile sin upon sin as I argue my point, and demand to be acknowledged as right, or defend my position.

Even if I am right, God says that I am to let him deal with the confrontation. My job is reconciliation and forgiveness.

So, when you review your life, and its various battles, contemplate this. And ask yourself who do my battles belongs to…

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