"You will not have to fight"

“Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty.  There’s nothing our God cannot do.”

These song lyrics are in my head this morning.  As a Christian, I give my requests to God with full knowledge that He is able to do the impossible.  I’ve seen it countless times in the lives of our friends and family.

Yet, I’m still always amazed at how He works in my own life.  The God who created the entire universe would hear my cry and love me so very much to answer.

This weekend we faced a battle.  We have experienced the battle countless times (actually once already in the last two weeks) and we were gearing up for it (again!).  Instead of just praying for protection and help, we prayed that God would completely eliminate the situation and soften hearts. 

You know what God did?   

He eliminated the issue. 

He softened hearts. 

You know what else He did? 

He showed us His power. 

I’m facing a personal battle.  It’s a HUGE battle.  Every day I’m in a mental battle to keep my focus on Him and not the problem.  Every day I’m in a mental battle to seek the Holy Spirit for my words and actions and not me.  Every day I’m trying to figure out how to control my emotions and just give them to God.  Every day I need God’s sovereign help to avoid bitterness, resentfulness, anger, and pity.

Every.single.day.

I’m growing weary.  I’m growing tired.  I’m growing discouraged. 

Then God shows up. 

In 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshephat is facing a battle.  As the enemy approaches, God tells Jehoshephat to go to the battle tomorrow, but they will not have to fight.  As Jehoshephat and his men arrive for the battle, they see in the field before them their enemy.  Every single one of them is dead.  The enemy killed themselves.  

Friends, God showed up to our battle the same way this weekend.  He heard our cry, knew our situation and hearts, and took care of the battle.  He softened a hard heart so we would not have to fight.

In this battle that I’m still facing, I learned something very encouraging:

God doesn’t need my help to fight. 

He can absolutely, unequivocally handle any battle by Himself.  The only times I have to fight are the times when He wants to teach me something.

In the midst of this difficult battle, in the midst of my weariness, my focus is no longer on the battle, but instead on Him. 

What are you teaching me today Lord?  Help me to be an attentive child, wholly focused on You, Your plan, and purpose for my life.  May I glorify You in my desire of knowing You more.