Our spiritual journey can be divided into at least three facets ranging from calm to overwhelming battles. First, Paul told Timothy to pray he might lead a tranquil and quiet life (1Ti 2:1, 2). I like these times but can only wish this encompassed all of life. However, it doesn’t, because we have an enemy, the devil, who is seeking to destroy us. We have spiritual battles every day, even during the tranquil and quiet times. Yet on occasions, life becomes an intense battle. Paul tells the Ephesian church they need the armor of God to protect them so that you will be able to resist in the evil day (Eph 6:13). This verse implies that in addition to daily conflicts, there are occasions when the devil makes an all out assault against us—the evil day. Thankfully, God has given us the weapons to fight these battles and He is with us, helping us. We could say that we are in partnership with the Holy Spirit. I’m doing the fighting and He is guiding and strengthening us.
The third and last facet brings us into a whole new dimension of trust in God. This is when the battle is so great, that even using our armor to the best of our ability, we are being overwhelmed and realize this battle is too great for us.
King Jehoshaphat found himself in this situation. A coalition of armies came against the tiny nation of Judah. He knew this battle was beyond their military skills and Jehoshaphat was afraid. So, he turned his attention to seek the LORD with prayer and fasting. God spoke through Jahaziel and told Jehoshaphat that the battle is not yours but God’s. You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf ((2 Chron. 20:1-22). You might think this would be easy after such a promising word from the LORD; yet, total, complete, and absolute trust in God is a challenge. I can imagine that as they marched toward the battle field some were tempted to think, “I wonder if Jahaziel knew what he was saying. He’s just a member of the choir,” or “what if, what if . . . this may be the end of us.” The fear that Satan can throw at us is endless. These are the times we have to walk by faith in God’s Word and not what we feel and think in our minds. It is said that the Bible contains 32,000 promises. But how often are we all tempted, ‘is that what it really means, does that apply to me, what if, what if, what if.”
Paul instructed the Ephesians, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore . . . (Eph 6:13, 14). Having done all to stand is a military phrase, and means to stand as conquerors. This could be paraphrased, after you’ve done all you can, stand in victory as a conqueror. If there is more that needs to be overcome, God will fight in this battle. And like Jehoshaphat, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf.
For Donna and I, this has probably been one of the most intense weeks of spiritual battle we have ever faced. We entered into a whole new dimension of trust in God. We had fought all we could and the LORD put these scriptures in my heart. This battle was beyond us and God had to fight it. Was it easy?—no! I’m actually three days behind in getting this Sustaining Word written. Satan has tried to fill our minds with every kind of doubt imaginable. But despite what we felt, what we saw or what we heard, we stood our ground as conquerors and watched God fight the battle. We have one more hurdle in this journey, but we’re still standing and God is still fighting. I’m sure we’re not the only ones who have faced overwhelming battles this week. Be encouraged and let God take over and stand as a conqueror.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
When the intense battles come, use God’s armor with the help of the Holy Spirit to the best of your ability, and then stand in victory. If more is needed, God will fight on your behalf and bring you back to a tranquil and quiet life.