You have probably heard the phrase, “The
battle is the Lord’s.” But is that really a statement of faith in
God’s loving-kindness? Or has it become a dangerous justification
for an apathetic, even non-aggressive faith?
Some argue the battle is the Lord’s in an effort to tone down
militant prayer warriors. This camp use the phrase as a basis to
accuse believers of being too fervent in contending for the promises
of God in their lives. Others simply don’t realize how such
statements can affect their view of Scripture. This bunch claims
that the battle is the Lord’s without understanding what that really
means. Of course, it is encouraging to know that God is with us in
the heat of spiritual battle, but is the battle the Lord’s alone?
What does the Bible really mean when it says that the battle is the
Lord’s? Does it mean that I don’t have to use my faith? Confess the
Word? Believe the Scriptures? Or pray? Does it mean that I don’t
have to do anything? That I can just relax and carry on as usual
while God takes care of everything for me? Or could this statement
be a subtle attack against those who engage in spiritual warfare? I
believe the latter is probably the case. Let’s cast down this common
argument with some Biblical truths.
The phrase, “The battle is the Lord’s” is mentioned three times in
the Bible. The first occurrence is in the Book of Exodus when the
children of Israel are led out of Egypt (a pattern of bondage from
sin) only to find themselves trapped between the Red Sea and
Pharaoh’s army. Can you imagine the fear and impending doom the
Israelites were feeling when they realized that Pharaoh had decided
to come after them? As Pharaoh’s chariots drew closer, the
children of Israel accused Moses of being a false leader. He
answered them saying, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the
salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the
Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more
for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your
peace” (Exodus 14:13-14). From this statement some would argue,
“See, there it is, you don’t have to fight. The Lord will fight for
you.” But did the Lord agree with Moses when he used that phrase? Or
did God correct his declaration?
The Lord’s answer to Moses was “Wherefore criest thou unto me?”
(Exodus 14:15) The word “wherefore” is the Hebrew word “mah,” which
is an emphatic “what” with an exclamation or question mark. It was
the people’s responsibility to move forward, even in the midst of
Pharaoh’s opposition. That required an act of faith on their part.
God commanded Moses saying, “Lift
thou up
thy rod, and stretch out
thine hand over the sea, and divide it and the children of Israel
shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea” (Exodus 14:16).
From this we learn that God had already given Moses spiritual authority, but
it was up to Moses to use it. Every believer has been given
spiritual authority. It is a right and privilege to exercise God’s
power through His Word and by faith.
“The battle is the Lord’s” is next seen in 1 Samuel 17:47. David
used the phrase as a prophetic declaration of faith. Like many up
and coming leaders of today, God prepared David to battle Goliath
during his years in the wilderness tending a few sheep. Scripture
says that David defeated both the lion and the bear, each symbols of
different levels of spiritual battle, while he was in the
wilderness. Your wilderness place prepares you now for the giants
you will face in the future. So relax and enjoy it. They are precious times of preparation the
Spirit of God uses to strengthen, train and equip to help others. Wouldn’t it
be foolish to assume that David sat idly by to watch God defeat
Goliath alone? God gives believers His spiritual armor as equipment
to wrestle against the forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). Why
would God give you an armor if you didn't have to use it.
Scripture teaches us to submit to God, resist the devil and he will
flee from us every time (James 4:7). Guess who does the resisting?
When David heard Goliath's challenging words it triggered boldness
on the inside of him. The same words that caused veteran soldiers to
fear and tremble did not move David to withdraw from the battle
line. Apostolic believers are much the same as David. Because they
have been trained in wilderness places they respond to the threats
from demonic powers with boldness and assurance
of spiritual victory. David declared, “Thou comest to me with a
sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in
the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom
thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine
hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I
will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto
the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all
the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel
17:45-46). David taught us a great lesson when he decreed, “the
battle is the Lord’s.” For David it was not an excuse to run from
the battle line but a prophetic decree of victory. David knew that
God was with him and Goliath would soon fall.
The last instance of the phrase, “the battle is the Lord’s” is found
in 2 Chronicles 20:1-17. The decree came through a prophetic word
released by the prophet Jahaziel as a direct response to
Jehoshaphat’s prayer. King Jehoshaphat found himself surrounded by
the enemies of Moab, Ammon and mount Seir, the offspring of Esau and
Lot’s incestuous children. They had once before caused much grief to
the Israelites when they refused to allow them passage through their
territory after their deliverance from Pharaoh’s grip (Deuteronomy
2:4-22). As the enemies approached, fear, hopelessness and despair
griped the people. Jehoshaphat called them to fast and pray for
God’s intervention. Jehoshaphat prayed, “And now, behold, the
children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not
let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they
turned from them, and destroyed them not; Behold, I say, how they
reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast
given us to inherit. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we
have no might against this great company that cometh against us;
neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (2
Chronicles 20:10-12).
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Jehoshaphat was pleading his case with the Lord. He was saying,
“Lord, if you would have allowed us to destroy these people when we
had the chance, then we wouldn’t be in this predicament today.” Such
prayers are a demonstration of boldly approaching the throne of
grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in a time of need
(Hebrews 4:16). The Lord agreed with King Jehoshaphat’s argument and
anointed Jahaziel to prophesy to the people, “Be not afraid nor
dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for the battle is not
yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). But the prophetic word
doesn’t end there. God continues, “Tomorrow go down against them” (2
Chronicles 20:16). Yes, the battle was the Lord’s, but the people
still had to go to the battle line.
Finally, on the morning of the confrontation, Jehoshaphat encouraged
the people saying, “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be
established; believe his prophets, so shall you prosper” (2
Chronicles 20:20). As they approached the enemies of God they began
to sing and to praise the Lord. As a result of their faith in God He
set ambushes against their enemies, who then killed one another. No,
they didn’t have to fight anyone that day, but they were prepared to
fight. But the testimony continues. When Jehoshaphat and the people
came to the enemy’s camp they found among the dead bodies both
riches and precious jewels. There was so much spoil that it took
them three days to gather it all (2 Chronicles 20:25).
What about you? When you hear, “the battle is the Lord’s” are you
ready to run to the battle line? Or will you use it as an argument
to withdraw from warfare? These three examples should greatly
encourage every believer who faces overwhelming forces. Yes, the
battle is the Lord’s, but every believer is called to run to the
battle in faith and full assurance of victory. Moses used what was
in his hand to part the Red Sea. David prophesied Goliath’s defeat.
And Jehoshaphat found grace to help in a time of need. So the next
time someone says, “The battle is the Lord’s” remember that it means
it’s time to advance and not withdraw. If you are willing to battle,
then you are always assured the victory.
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