When God fights your battles. There are many stories in scripture where God fights for his people. A lesser known story is recorded in 2 Chronicles 30-32 when Hezekiah is king of Judah. Here are some thoughts about it.
When God fights your battles. Consecrate yourself to God
And the priests and the Levites were ashamed, so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. (NIV, 2 Chronicles 30:15)
King Hezekiah was 25 when he began to rule the kingdom of Judah. Unlike his father, King Ahaz, he was faithful to God and sought to restore Israel’s covenant relationship with God. He purged the land of pagan idols and cleansed the temple. And now, after years of idol worship, the priests and Levites suddenly reappear. What were they doing all the time the Jewish people were worshipping pagan idols? We don’t know. But a good guess, is probably not much in the way of spiritual leadership because they were ashamed.
Therefore, the priests and Levites consecrated themselves before God. The Hebrew word for “consecrate” is qâdâsh, which means to ceremonially or morally purify or sanctify. In other words, they rededicated themselves to God before spiritually leading the people. So before you take on a spiritual battle, first, make sure you are right with God.
It reminds us that for Christ-followers, every battle includes a spiritual component. And spiritual readiness includes mindful attention to personal holiness. No, we won’t reach moral perfection. And God does not expect it. But we should regularly examine our hearts and confess our sins to God. Because as we present ourselves faithful to God, He is faithful to us.
When God fights your battles. Prepare for the fight
He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. (ESV, 2 Chronicles 32:5)
Knowing God wins every fight can encourage complacency. Pull up a chair, relax with popcorn, and watch God do His thing. But God expects us to do our part too. As James 2:26 says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead..”
Christ-followers are not to be spectators, but active participants in God’s work. That’s why God ordered Joshua and his army to march around Jericho for seven straight days and then seven times on the last day. And He instructed Gideon to surround the encamped Midian army with 300 men armed with torches and trumpets. Ridiculous military strategies that made Joshua and Gideon look and probably feel silly. And yet, God delivered victory both times.
Hezekiah also took nothing for granted, and did his part to prepare for battle. He diverted a water source, fortified the city walls, made extra weapons, and lifted the spirits of his people by assuring them God had their back.
When God fights your battles. Prayer is the mightiest weapon
Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. (NIV, 2 Chronicles 32:20)
However, as Sennacherib, the king of Assyria beseiged the city with a massive army, he used scare tactics to demoralize the people. He shouted to them from outside the city walls. Who were they to think their God could protect them from his powerful army? None of the gods of the other people he conquered had stopped him. He mocked them and their God.
So Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out to God in prayer. It should be the first item on our battle preparation list. And involve a regular encounter with God rather than a last minute plea. Because it is the most powerful, spiritual weapon of all. But like previous enemies of God’s people, Sennacherib made a fatal mistake. He proudly over estimated his power against the power of an Amighty God.
Therefore, God sent an angel who destroyed the mighty warriors in Sennacherib’s army and he returned home in shame where his own sons killed him. And the Apostle Paul’s words affirm the truth of God’s word.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (NIV, Romans 8:31).
Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about When God Fights Your Battles.
