DOMINION IN LIFE’S BATTLES (II)

With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah – 2 Chronicles 32:8

A wise man said: “The life of man is essentially Genesis and Revelation. The battles of life are the issues and forces that resist your Revelation, having been unable to stop your Genesis.” There is a perspective that views life as an unending battle from the cradle to the grave; a sea of ceaseless tempests and storms. Job 14:1 says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble”! While this was obviously not the original will of God, it appears to have become the ‘reality’ of multitudes! Indeed, however easy-going and peaceful you may be, others may ultimately draw you into battles.

Whatever may be your perspective, in Christ, the hotter the battle, the sweeter the victory; the tougher the trials, the more glorious is the triumph! When you belong to God, He stands by you and with you so that your battles become His battles. David declared against Goliath:  “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear: for THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands” (1Sam.17:47). Jehoshaphat likewise declared before Judah: “…for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2Chr.20:15b). There are times to fight and times to hold your peace. We then need to wait on God so He would teach us what to do each time we face a battle (2Chr.20:17).

According to our main text, when the Assyrian king Sennacherib encamped against Judah and Jerusalem, King Hezekiah immediately engaged in strategic military defences and actions: cutting off the waters of the fountains that could aid the adversary, building and repairing broken walls, manufacturing weapons of war, and grooming the captions of war (vs.3-7). Beyond all of these strategies however, Hezekiah turned over the battle to the LORD. He assured the people: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah (2Chr.32:8).

Against verbal assaults and arrows of fear and intimidation from Sennacherib and his hosts, God showed up for His people in response to their prayers and scattered all encampments against them, bringing their enemies to shame (vs.21). Standing on the platform of redemption, our joy as believers is that we were born to win, recreated to conquer, and redeemed to reign! Our Father-God is willing and able to fight for us, while we hold our peace! Beloved, whatever challenges or battles you may be facing be reassured that your God will fight for you, as you stand in dominion and hold your peace!