I don’t know about you, but I have a strong tendency to try to fight my own battles. In fact, I feel a lot of pressure all the time that it’s my job to make things work. Whether it’s as a parent or as a pastor, I feel like it’s my job to make things work. If something isn’t working, it’s my fault. If something isn’t as it should be, it’s on me. If someone is struggling, that’s me.
Maybe you don’t struggle that way, but I do. But, the truth is, the battle belongs to God.
15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 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 20:15-17
When you’re staring the face of an enemy, it can be overwhelming if you think that it falls on you to defeat the enemy. The truth is, the Battle Belongs to God.
Of course we have a part to play. God will not force himself on us, he requires our participation. But, it’s always God doing the majority of the work. Imagine that it’s a 90/10 partnership. God doesn’t 90% while we do 10%. (In all likelihood, it’s more than that!)
All we can ever contribute is the 10%. 10% is our max capacity. But, in order to defeat the enemy we need 100%. No matter how you do the math, 100% of 10% is still only 10%. We can give everything we’ve got, but if we’re fighting on our own, we will still come up radically short.
But, if we start the fight from the position of faith that God is fighting for us (and not against us), we’re starting with enough to win the battle.
In fact, this is the story that inspired Phil Wickham to write this song.
“One of my favorite stories in all of scripture comes from ‘2 Chronicles 20’. It’s a story of this huge army that is amassed to come against the people of God. And when the people of God and their king, Jehoshaphat, hear of this horde coming their way, they freak out. They literally come to God and say, ‘We are powerless against this army, but our eyes are on you, God. Show us what to do.’ And God responds to them. His Spirit comes upon this Levite man and through the Levite man God says, ‘Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the battle is not yours, but it is God’s. You will not have to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position and see the Salvation of the Lord on your behalf.'”
When all I see is the battle
You see my victory
When all I see is the mountain
You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow
Your love surrounds me
There’s nothing to fear now
For I am safe with YouSo when I fight I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God the battle belongs to YouAnd if You are for me
Who can be against me (yeah)
For Jesus there’s nothing
Impossible for You
When all I see are the ashes
You see the beauty (thank You God)
When all I see is a cross
God You see the empty tombSo when I fight I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God the battle belongs to YouAlmighty Fortress You go before us
Nothing can stand against
The power of our God
You shine in the shadows
You win every battle
Nothing can stand against
The power of our GodSo when I fight I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God the battle belongs to YouOh God the battle belongs to You
Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham
