The Battle is the Lord's

 

This image was texted to me by a friend who knows me very well. All too often, I see myself as too small and weak to take on the Big Guy who loves to torment all Christians, taunting us and daring us to fight back. But I've also been doing my annual read through the entire bible using a Bible Gateway plan. This morning I read 1 Chronicles chapters 18-21, an account of multiple campaigns against Israel's enemies undertaken by King David. 

After the victorious battles, the enemies were subjected to Israel bringing tributes to David which he dedicated entirely to the Lord. Frequently, the same verse is repeated after battles, The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. David didn't hesitate to face the enemies that threatened Israel. And he didn't keep the spoils of war. He brought all of it to the Tabernacle to further the Lord's purposes in the kingdom of his chosen people. 

We face battles today of a different sort. Our battles are not with the physical armaments of war. Yet, in the new covenant, the book of Ephesians, chapter 6 uses the analogy of arms to describe how to battle against the enemy of our soul, the same implements of war David used in physical battle. We are exhorted to put on the full armor of God and when we are clothed, to stand and see the Lord's victory on our behalf. We wear the armor for protection, God battles. 

The kitten in the photo is small and seemingly unable to fight, yet what she sees is a reflection of what God wants us to see. Fully grown and mature ready to fight back against the attacks, the temptations, the trials thrown at us, and the accusations designed to induce shame as courage drains from us. 

What. Ever. You. Are. Facing. There may be a tough battle to fight. But we do not fight alone. We face what is in truth a defeated enemy. Jesus won the war at the cross and resurrection. The Holy Spirit fills us with power and discernment. The Enemy roars like a lion, a mortally wounded lion. But we stand, clothed in God's armor, and watch the Lord go to work. Our true battle is to trust in the Lord.  Trust that he will not forsake us in whatever we face. Trust that we will not be redeemed just to lose it all. 

So look closely at your reflection in the spiritual mirror the Lord is holding up for you to see, and be amazed at what the reality is in his kingdom right now. This world. This life. This time. This you.