I have heard several new songs over the past couple of weeks. Each one of them had a similar message in them.

God has been and is continuing to fight our battles.

There have been heavy battles raging within me and around me. People I love are fighting some severely trying things. There are days when all I feel is defeat and an overwhelming sense of oppression.

It causes me to fight giving up or giving in.

Some days I feel like running away and hiding. Other days, I want to fight back with everything I have to offer which isn't much some days. Share on X

God has a much different battle plan and His strategies are the opposite of mine. I want to get up, throw my fists, kick and scream, however God’s Word gives us a little insight to His version of fighting battles.

Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.” Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 2 Chronicles 20:14-20

I see a couple of things here. God is encouraging King Jehoshaphat not to be afraid or discouraged. The battle that looked too big for him and his men, was not his to fight, but God’s. God also encourages them to show up for the battle. He did not suggest running away.

So He tells them to go to where their enemies would be and the battle. would happen, then tells them they don’t need to fight, but to stand and see the salvation of the Lord on their behalf.

I would be asking some questions right then. I ask questions now, in the midst of the battles I face.

“They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.” 2 Chronicles 20:20-23

There are two points in this scripture that stand out to me. Jehoshaphat encouraged the people to trust God, and he sent those who sang to the Lord and praised Him. It says that when the singing and praising began the Lord set ambushes up against their enemies.

Trust and praise.

I don’t see those in my plan of action either.

If you have read any of my recent blog posts, you would know that God has been talking to me about trusting Him confidently. Not just a surface level trust or a trust that fizzles when I can’t see what He is doing.

He has also spoken to me about the power of praise and especially the act of praising Him, when I am scared, anxious, and unsure about my circumstances. It is praising Him when I am confused, hurt, and angry.

My flesh struggles with this. Can anyone relate?

I find praying and praising just doesn’t feel like enough when I am in the middle of stormy circumstances or change of life plans.

God wants to fight my battles. I want to let Him. Share on X

I pray as we go through life and the walk through the struggles of this life, we will be able to have a confident trust in the Lord and a heart that praises Him as we march forward. May we see Him at work.