Morning By Morning #160

Many others fell slain, because the battle was God’s.

1 Chronicles 5:22

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Dear Christian warrior fighting under the banner of the Lord Jesus, consider today’s verse with holy joy, for the same is true today as in biblical days of old—if the battle is of God, victory is certain. “The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had [[only]44,760 men ready for military service” (v. 18), yet in their war with the Hagarites, “they…took one hundred thousand people captive and many others fell slain” (vv. 21-22). This happened “because they cried out to [God] during the battle [and] He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him” (v. 20).

Whether we have an army of many or few makes no difference—it is up to us to go forth in Jehovah’s name. Deliverance will come with even a handful of men for “the LORD Almighty is with us” (Ps. 46:7) and is our Captain. Israel did not neglect to take their shields, swords, bows, and arrows with them, but they did not place their trust in weapons. We too should use the weapons at our disposal, but our confidence must rest in the Lord alone, for He is the sword and the shield of His people. The absolute reason for Israel’s extraordinary success lay in the fact that “the battle was God’s.”

Dear beloved, as you wage war with sin within and without—whether with doctrinal error or practical living, with spiritual wickedness in high or low places, or with the Devil and his allies—you are waging Jehovah’s war. And unless He Himself can be overpowered, you need never fear defeat. Do not cower at the sight of superior numbers, shrink from difficulties, or fear what may appear to be impossible. Never flinch at either battle wounds or death, but strike the enemy with the “double-edged” (Heb. 4:12) “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) and the slain will fall in droves.

“The battle is the LORD’S and he will give [His enemies] into our hands” (1 Sam. 17:47). With sure footedness, strong hands, undaunted heart, and flaming zeal, run to the conflict. The hosts of evil will fly away “like chaff before the wind” (Ps.35:5).

Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!

The strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle,

The next the victor’s song.

To those who vanquish evil

A crown of life shall be;

They with the King of glory

Shall reign eternally.

George Duffield, Jr., 1818 – 1888

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

“The battle is the LORD’S,” yet we are told: “Put on the full armor of God, so…you may be able to stand your ground” (Eph. 6:13). But remember, “It is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ” (2 Cor. 1:21). “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere…We are not of those who shrink back…but of those who believe and are saved” (Heb. 10:35-36, 39).