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.” 2 Chronicles 20:15b

Are we ever going to learn that last line? How often do we try to take the battle back into our own hands! Our God is a warrior and has a plan for this whole universe. He knows more about the future than we do about the past, and He is worthy of our trust.

When Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, learned that his enemy was about to attack him on three fronts, he sought God. Instead of dwelling on all the problems, he deliberately focused on how big and great God is: “O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You” (2 Chronicles 20:6).

Then Jehoshaphat did something unprecedented in military history: He put praise-and-worshipers on the front line of battle.

He appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.” Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. 2 Chronicles 20:21b-22 NKJV*

While they were worshiping God, the enemy was defeated! God is telling us something about the power of seeking Him: Your flesh may loathe praising God when you are going through a struggle, but that is right where you’ll find the solution.

As Jehoshaphat sought God, he declared, “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:12b). So gaze at God and only glance at your problems. Rededicate yourself to reading the Word, where you’ll see the faithfulness of God through the ages. Pull up breakthrough moments in your past and write them down.

“Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17b). You can face tomorrow with confidence because the forever-faithful God is with you!

Give it to God,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. * New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19b KJV

We have a battle to win in this life. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but there is authority and victory through Jesus (John 10:10). One of the devil’s strategies is to bring down our morale, but God has a strategy to help us win on multiple battle fronts. Observing Jesus’ response to the devil will prepare us to win against the enemy’s attacks.

While Jesus was fasting in the wilderness, the devil came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matthew 4:3). Jesus, full of the Word, responded, “It is written, man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Just as Jesus responded to the enemy with “it is written,” so our standard must be the Word of God. When the attacks come in like a flood and we are feeling overwhelmed, what are we going to do? Speak the Word!

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Romans 8:28, 31, 37

Those lies that are coming at you need an answer. If you aren’t familiar with the Scriptures and promises of God, start getting into the Word. If you’re not a good reader, get the Bible on your iPod. The life-changing nature of the Word of God is more precious than anything else.

Don’t let the devil shut your mouth. Don’t back down in the face of adversity. In the midst of a protracted battle, when several things come at you in a day, take the Word of God and boldly declare who He is, what you have because of Him, and what your rights are as a believer. God is the master of breakthrough!

Keep speaking God’s Word!

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. *The definition of standard is a “point of reference against which individuals are compared and evaluated.”* “standard.” The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 04 May. 2009.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

This verse shines a light on our position in this life. The God of the universe has given divinely powerful weapons to empower His people for an effective life! God has designated us to reinforce what Jesus has done through the power of His death, burial, and resurrection.

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17

In this world we are called to manifest Satan’s defeat. Christians are the people who stand strong and face trouble when everyone else is running away. When it comes to fear, the imagination can easily run out of control; so it’s important to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Let faith—trust and confidence—in God be your shield and use the two-edged sword of the Word to cut through every lie and attack of the devil.

For those of you who feel weary and without strength to resist the devil, look to God. He is your strength: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). God may direct you to get up out of self pity and go across town to minister to someone in a worse position. Shake off the extremes of numbing passivity and agitating paranoia. Cast down every imagination and look to God to receive strength and strategy for your life.

Stand Firm,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.