Once upon a time, God told Moses to bring his people, the Israelites, out of Egyptian slavery. Pharaoh, after much plagues, though dissatisfied, reluctantly allowed the Israelites to go. Pharaoh and his army pursued the Israelites to stop their departure. At the banks of the Red Sea, the Israelites could not flee further, so, in panic and out of frustration, they complained bitterly to Moses.
The Israelites said to Moses in Exodus 14: 11-12, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die…Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, “Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert.” Moses, full of faith and trust in God’s unfailing power and faithfulness, replied to the panicked Israelites in Exodus 14: 14, the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
When does the Lord fight for us?
Moses’ response suggests that God intervenes when we face imminent danger. God did not reveal in his instructions to Moses that the Red Sea, there would be a barrier or blockade to them nor Pharaoh and his army would pursue them which may involve fatalities or that the journey from Egypt would be smooth or free from barriers but to its destination. Moses also did not avert his mind to possible barriers to their escape at the Red Sea even under God’s command.
Barriers to our successes and victories arise when God is with us; and. God allows such circumstances for his glory and honour. Jesus said in Matthew 10: 34, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Barriers arise to shift our focus from God; to quake our faith; and to deceive us to settle for an alternative rather than God, which may destroy us in the end. 1Peter 5: 8 says, be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Be alert for Satan attacks in both our good and poor standing with God.
What is the nature of wars?
Oftentimes, the wars are beforehand, not known nor expected as to time, place, expanse or dynamics. Only God knows future wars or events. Psalm 90: 2 says, before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Since we are unable to see the wars ahead of time, Revelation 16: 15 says, “Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Wars, setbacks, barriers, etc. will not cease except with God.
Our battles may be physical, spiritual or both. Physical battles include bad behaviors or habits which we can avoid ourselves e.g. the decision to do what we know will destroy us when we have the capacity to stay away from it. Jesus said in Matthew 3: 7; Luke 3: 7, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Spiritual battles are those beyond our physical strength. Paul said in Ephesians 6: 12, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Why does God fight for us?
By the proper interpretation of the aforesaid Exodus 14: 11-14, it is either when we are incapable or that God is better able or that God wants to fight the battle for his own reason. Deuteronomy 3: 2, do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you. When Paul depended on God in all circumstances no matter the nature of battle, he wrote in Romans 8: 37, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
When we are incapable, we must remember Christ Jesus said in John 15: 5… apart from me you can do nothing. When the disciples were unable to cast out the spirit of convulsion, Jesus said to them in Mark 9: 29, “This kind can come out only by prayers.” In effect, only God can grant victory in battles. Jesus said in Matthew 28: 18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. By this authority, only God can exercise a sole discretion to fight our battles. Isaiah 55: 8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Does God know our battles?
God knows every battle we face, major or minor anywhere anytime. He knows the end from the beginning. God said in Jeremiah 1: 5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Because God has infinite knowledge, Job 21: 22 says, “Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest? David also said in Psalm 94: 10, does he (God) who teaches mankind lack knowledge? G
God cannot be clouded from events in his own world which he has created. Job 28: 24 says, he (God) views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. God is all wise, all knowledgeable, and ever present in our need. He asked in Acts 7: 49-50 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool… Did not my hand make all these things? God is the Almighty Infinite God of love.
Reflection
If God says he will fight for us, we must believe his word. He will complement our strength. He said in 2Corinthians 12: 9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” We must allow God to fight by our side as he declared in Jeremiah 1: 19, they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you. The Lord will build a fortified wall around us as he said in Jeremiah 15: 20, “I will make you a wall to these people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you.”
We don’t have to fight against God who fights for us. So, 2Chronicles 13: 12 says, people of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed. We must wait on God for our battle instructions. Acts 2: 34-35 say, “The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ‘Waiting demands patience and obedience. We must also repent for Jesus said in Luke 13: 3,5 says, unless you repent, you too will all perish.
What battle are we facing which is beyond Jesus? Are we ready to allow Jesus to take charge? He who is faithful says he will fight for us. He won the final battle on the cross. Colossians 2: 15 says, having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Have faith in God through Christ Jesus! Faint NOT, for he is able!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, forever fight our battles for us according to your promise. Heal our unbelief in your eternal conquering blood by which we are washed. We pray in your blessed Holy name, Amen!!
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