The Proper Way to Fight A Battle

And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us! 1 Samuel 17:47 (NLT)

There are so many ways to unpack the story of David and Goliath but one thing really stands out. David’s understanding of whose battle it was.

When Saul told David he was too young and inexperienced, David points back to God. In verse 37 he says “The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Did David have to take risk going to meet a giant? Yes. Did David have to step into an uncomfortable situation where the outcome was not determined? Yes. Did David have to prepare for the battle and collect his weapon (five smooth stones)? Absolutely.

But there was one thing David did that we find hard to do. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt who was in charge of this battle. He knew this was not about him. He knew it was about God. And he knew God was going to fight the battle for him.

One time during a prayer meeting, the leader asked us to take a piece of paper and write down all the things we were worried about. Then, they asked us to put the items into two columns. In the first column put the things that we can do something about. In the second column put the things we have no control over. It was an eye-opening exercise. Most of the things I was worried about I could do nothing to solve. They were beyond my control.

Those were God’s. Those are the things I should be in prayer about and the things I should leave in more capable hands. Just like David, we too can prepare for battle and use our weapons. Our weapons are prayer, the Word of God and our relationship with Jesus. We also need to remember whose battle this is. It’s not ours. It’s God’s.

Battle Plans

When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” Joshua 5:13-14 (NLT)

Joshua was near Jericho. Perhaps he was scouting out the terrain before the big battle that was before him and the Israelites. Maybe he was looking at the huge wall that surrounded the city. It seemed impenetrable. Could he be wondering how they were going to win this battle? Was his mind racing trying to figure out how to do the impossible?

Suddenly he looked up and saw a warrior standing in front of him ready for battle. "Are you for us or against us?" he asked. And I love what the Warrior says next.  "Neither."

How often do we face our day, our tasks or our problems and stand there staring at them trying to figure out how we are going to fix it. Just like Joshua, we are looking at the wrong thing. When Joshua finally refocuses, he sees Jesus standing there. And when he tries to pull Jesus into his focus by asking "Are you for us or against us?", Jesus says "Neither. I am with God."

Jesus basically says to Joshua, "This isn't your battle to fight. It's not for you to carry alone. All you need to get through this is standing in front of you. Refocus. Remember who is in charge." And immediately, Joshua is reminded of why he is doing what he's doing and where his focus should be. He drops to his feet and worships.

I don't know about you but I pull a Joshua on a pretty regular basis. I get up in the morning, have my time with God and align my thinking. Then, as I go through my day, I start focusing on what isn't working and how I'm stuck. I get frustrated and complain.  I forget that this is God's battle and that he has a battle plan. 

Maybe when we find our gaze drifting to something other than the Commander of the Lord's army, we should pause and ask "God, what is your battle plan?"