Grace For The Journey

  What battles have you been fighting in lately?  What battles are just ahead, around the corner, and over the horizon that you will be fighting?  One thing is certain: every believer fights battles.  The problem is not that we face battles; the problem is that we face far too many of them in our own strength.  We have forgotten what the Bible teaches about battles . . .

The Battle Is The Lord’s

Here are just a few verses from God’s Word that make it perfectly clear that our God is the One who is to be fighting our battles if we are ever going to gain victory over them.

“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid.  Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.’” (Exodus 14:13-14)

“The LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day.  One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.” (Joshua 23:9-10)

“Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD, does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47)

Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there.  Our God will fight for us.” (Nehemiah 4:20)

“Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.”  (Psalm 60:12)

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

There are many stories in the Bible of God fighting for His people and winning for them the victory.  There is Moses and the Red Sea.  There is Gideon and his 300 fighting men.  One of the best stories of God fighting for His people – in His way and with His weapons – is found in the story of Joshua.  Joshua was leading the Israelite army against the Amorite army.  Before the battle began, God said to His servant Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.” (Joshua 10:8).

God is in the business of fighting for His people and delights in delivering them from what, to the watching world, look like insurmountable odds.  In the middle of Joshua’s battle against the Amorite kings, God sent a “holy” hailstorm to do for His people what only God can do for them, “The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword” (Joshua 10:11).  Hail is a conquering weapon for the people of God when it is in the hand of a Holy God.

This should lead us to conclude . . . “If God is for us . . . who cares who is against us!”

• When you are wronged, let God make it right.
• When you are wounded, let God make you whole.
• When you are put down, let God lift you up.

Whatever it is you are up against, you are not up against it alone.

God is not only with you,

He is the One who is fighting for you.

What “Heavenly provision” is God ready to send your way if you will but let Him fight your battles for you?

• The “Heavenly provision” of hope
• The “Heavenly provision” of patience
• The “Heavenly provision” of forgiveness
• The “Heavenly provision” of vision
• The “Heavenly provision” of godly counsel
• The “Heavenly provision” of a Barnabas to encourage you
• The “Heavenly provision” of endurance

Funny thing about “Heavenly provision” in the hand of a Holy God fighting for His “highly favored” holy people:

It will do more for you than you could ever do for yourself!

If the battle is the Lord’s, the victory is the Lord’s . . . so rest in that truth.

God counsels us in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

This is God Word … This is Grace for your Journey …

Rest and Rejoice in this eternal truth! 

Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”