I have not posted in a couple of months for various reasons but one of the main reasons is that I was going through a personal storm. I would love to tell you that I had the “right” spiritual response when faced with this storm and that I went straight to the Lord and laid it at His feet. But even though I made a couple of meager attempts at doing just that, I ultimately allowed myself to go into a downward spiral. “Long story short” is that I have been diagnosed with a type of alopecia that is not easily treated (I will blog more about that another time). During this time of searching for answers, getting a diagnosis, and beginning treatments, I was on an emotional roller coaster. There were many valleys and tears but God has given me peace and hope at this point of the journey.
As He always does, God brings the right people and the right Word at exactly the right time. A dear friend of mine gave me a book to read entitled The Believer’s Battle Plan by Pastor Trey Dickerson. In this book, Pastor Dickerson discusses 2 Chronicles Chapter 20. When was the last time you studied 2 Chronicles? Yeah it’s been a while for me too! But in reading this book and this chapter in 2 Chronicles, God revealed so much of Himself to me.
What are we supposed to do when faced with trials or an outright enemy? When I received my diagnosis, I went straight to the internet searching for answers to figure out how I could fix this. You see, that is what I do a lot of the time. I try to fix things on my own! When I get backed into a corner unable to fix the problem, THEN I go to the Lord and plead for help. Sad, isn’t it? By this time in my life, you would think that I would know better! God has been trying to rectify this trait in me for years. In another attempt to teach me, He placed this book into my hands through my friend.
In a nutshell, this book taught me that the battle is not ours to fight! When King Jehoshaphat was faced with a group of armies coming to attack his people, he gave us a beautiful example of how we are to face our problems. King Jehoshaphat went immediately to the Lord and he instructed his people to seek the Lord and to fast. Jehoshaphat started to pray and in his prayer he began declaring that God is mighty, powerful, and that He cannot be defeated. He then REMEMBERED how God had worked on their behalf before and RECOUNTED the miracles that God had performed. Jehoshaphat REAFFIRMED his nation’s past decision to stand in God’s presence and to seek Him when trials come their way and then he REITERATED that God will hear them when they cry out and confidently declared that He WILL save them.
God heard his prayer and gave very specific instructions as to what they were to do the next day as the enemy armies encroached upon their land. A very brief synopsis of the instructions are 1) Take your position 2) Stand firm and 3) Watch the victory! It is an incredible story and one that I hope you will take time to read for yourself.
As part of His instructions, God told them two separate times to not be afraid or discouraged and to also FACE the enemy. Facing the enemy takes courage and strength! God does not want us to cower in fear when we are faced with trials but to stand in HIS strength and allow Him to fight the battle on our behalf. He very explicitly tells them that “the battle is not yours”. This is great news my friend and such incredible freedom. So the next time you and I are faced with something that seems will overtake us, our responsibility is simply to seek God and allow Him to fight the battle that He says is His in the first place. Simply take your position, stand firm, and watch God claim the victory!
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17
