Easiest way to win the toughest battle

A righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

Have you ever faced a battle so tough you just knew that victory would require more than the talents or skills or strength that you have, that things were far out of your control? You are not alone. The Bible is full of stories of people in similar situations. One such story is that of Jehoshaphat. His story is found in II Chronicles, Chapter 20. Jehoshaphat, king of the Israelites, is told that three armies have joined together to attack. His story reveals a strategy to win the toughest battles.

First, he ACKNOWLEDGES HIS LIMITATIONS. Verse 12 - We have no power to face this vast army. I am sure Jehoshaphat had already consulted with his war strategists.

Second, he APPEALS TO THE COMMANDER FOR HELP. Verse 12 - We don' t know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. We must keep our eyes on the Commander or we will find ourselves leaning toward our own devices and resolutions (strategies). We begin to look at the battle going on around us and not at our Commander.

Third, Jehoshaphat LISTENS TO WHAT THE COMMANDER HAS TO SAY. Verse 15 - Listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Jerusalem. "Do not be discouraged or afraid." God would reveal the plan. Our anxious thoughts, the frantic behavior of others, the noise, the demands, the chaos can keep us from hearing what God has to say to us.

Fourth, Jehoshaphat TRUSTS THE COMMANDER. Verse 15 - Do not be afraid or discouraged for the battle is not yours, but God's. Verse 16- God said "Tomorrow march down against them". Then He let the Israelites know specifically where the enemy was located. God knows what is going on in our lives and in the lives of all involved. He knows when things are beyond human limitations. He instructs us, as He instructed Jehoshaphat "Don't be afraid. I will fight this battle for you! It’s mine!"

Fifth, and lastly, Jehoshaphat OBEYS THE COMMANDER. Verse 17 - Position yourselves, stand firm. Verse 21 - He (Jehoshaphat) appointed those who should sing to the Lord and praise the beauty of His holiness as they went out before the army.

When my young daughter was at the Mayo Clinic for a month after being diagnosed with a rare cancer, I was at home preparing for my own surgery as I was diagnosed with breast cancer five days later. That month alone, with my husband at Mayo with my daughter, I was given the time to 'position' myself for the days and months ahead through spending time in the Word, through prayer, listening to God's voice, singing, praise and worship. "See the deliverance the Lord will give you." God provides affirmation for carrying out the strategy. The Israelites did their part and found when they arrived, God had already done His. The three armies had slain each other and the Israelites had only to take the spoils - the rewards and blessings of trust and obedience.

Lord, help me to be obedient to what You are speaking to me and to know that You have everything under control.

Faith Jones

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20 (NASB)

What does it mean to be completely sold out to Christ that others see only Jesus in me? Can my relationship with Jesus be that close, that strong? Paul says it is possible, that he had obtained that strong of a relationship and closeness with Christ. For Paul, it was a relationship so close that he lost his own identity because he so identified with Christ. I believe this meant that others saw Jesus when they saw Paul. Did this mean that Paul was perfect? No, he admitted that himself. But he had such an experience with Jesus that his own ego or desires were not central, but his faith in God was. His soul/sole purpose became to spread the message of Jesus' redemptive love and sacrifice to advance the kingdom of God on earth.

Paul embraced the plan God had for him on earth. His relationship with God was based on faith-faith in what God did and could do for him, not what he could do for God. God transformed Paul. He can do that for you and me. It happens from the inside out as we live and grow in Christ. He becomes central and we become more and more like Him in living, in loving, and finally in dying-dying to self, and then physical death when we are perfected into His likeness eternally.

Oh, Jesus, draw me so close to you that my faith in you, my living daily in your love and grace enables others to see only You in me. Amen.

Faith Jones