Scripturtes for Spiritual Victory #31

 II Chronicles 20 has a fascinating account of one of the many, many times God delivered the people of Judah, the southern Kingdom of Israel, from invasion and defeat.  King Jehoshaphat has gathered the people to come together and cry out to God to deliver them in what seems like a hopeless situation. They are greatly outnumbered by a coalition of armies set on their destruction. Then Jehoshaphat says this:

For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

There are times we need to do exactly what Jehoshaphat did: simply and honestly say: We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Then God will say: "I thought you'd never ask." The next day God shows them all that indeed the battle was His, not theirs. When they went to the lookout tower to observe the invading army they found that they were all dead on the battlefield; they had stirred them up to turn on one another and kill each other. The battle was done as soon and Jehoshaphat and Judah turned their trust from themselves to the Lord. Whatever the spiritual battle is you face today: the battle is not yours but His.