Knowing that the battle is the Lord’s does not mean that we do not fight, because we do have our part in the battle. We have not been called to passivity, but to be fully engaged in this battle between God and Satan. We know that in this battle we are to be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” The question is: how do we connect these two things: God’s power and our involvement?
It comes down to our activity in the sphere that He has given us to work in. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10 that he would not go beyond the sphere that God gave him. We too have a sphere that God has called us to and in that sphere is where we are to be fully engaged, to be active in the power that He gives. We are told in Hebrews 2:18 “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
Just as here on earth Jesus depended on His Heavenly Father, so too we depend on Jesus. He will not do it for us, but He will help us. He will not take away the problems, the obstacles, but He will be with us and help us to overcome.
In Judges 3:1-2 we see that the Lord left some nations in Israel, to test those who had not known war and to teach future generations about war. This is the same for us today. Victory was won 2000 years ago, but God still allows the enemy certain limited authority (like being on a leash) to teach us how to overcome, how to fight, how to be victorious. We find this same truth coming out in Romans 8:26-27 in being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. The Spirit of God helps us in the time of need.
When the army came against him, Jehoshaphat did not know what to do, so he went to the Lord and God told him what to do. First, do not be afraid or discouraged. When the enemy comes in like a flood, we should not be discouraged or afraid. Jehoshaphat was reminded again that the battle is not his, but the Lord’s. This is a truth that we need to keep in mind. Next he was not to flee or run away, but to go down against them, and take up their position. We see in this that God fought the battle, but there were things that they had to do in taking up their position against the enemy.
We are told in Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” God does not say here – ‘let go and let God,’ but just the opposite. I am to work out what God has put in me. This seems impossible, but “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
The question that comes is how do we work this out in practicalities? Paul is an example for us in this regard. In Acts 18:9-10 Paul is in Corinth where there was much opposition, but through a vision in the night the Lord spoke and said: “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10
Paul was made strong in the Lord by a vision and with the assurance that God was with him. In Acts 27 in the voyage to Rome by ship we see the same thing with Paul when a fierce storm came and it looked like they all would die. An angel stood by Paul and encouraged him and told him what to do. It was through this that Paul was made strong in the Lord and the power of His might. In the same way we too can find instruction and encouragement in the Lord.
We find in 1 Samuel 30 with King David that the Amalekites came and attacked Ziglag while David and his men were away and took away everything, even their wives and children. David’s men were so upset that they were about to stone David, but we read, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
How do we strengthen ourselves in the Lord? I believe that there are a number of ways. One for me has been with the Word of God. Often the Lord has given me a word that helped me through a difficult decision that I had to make. We are sometimes strengthened through members of the Body of Christ. What I find uplifting is when people come and share what the Lord has been speaking to them. This encourages me. Or someone comes with a personal word for me. It might be a sermon that the pastor gave, or whatever. But in any case – we are strengthened in the Lord.
However, it is important to never forget the truth that the battle is the Lord’s and not my own individual battle. If we have been born again we must remember who and what we are. We are children of the Most High God and we go forth in His power and in His might.