Monday, July 21st , 2008 by Randy

TITLE:
“The REAL Battle”

SCRIPTURE:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. 2 Chronicles 32:7,8

OBSERVATION:
The conflict between Hezekiah, the King of Judah and Sennacherib, King of Assyria depicts the cosmic battle that wages in the hearts of mankind. Assyria was a great empire by Hezekiah's time, controlling most of the Middle East. From a human point of view, Judah’s defeat was eminent. Yet Hezekiah had faith in God. He told his people to “Be strong and courageous…for there is a greater power with us…the LORD our God” (2 Chron. 32:7-8).
So Sennacherib invades Judah and blasphemes God’s power and protection. The enemy messengers taunt Hezekiah, “Who of all the gods of these nations that my fathers destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand?” (2 Chronicles 32:14). Hezekiah responds to their threatens by crying out to God in prayer. God delievered them from the hand of Assyrian, but sending angel to destroy the Assyian Army. The victory that day was from God, not from man. As the prophet Zechariah said, “’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty (Zechariah 4:6).

APPLICATION:
No matter what challenge I face, I need to remember that the “battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). Paul wrote that our battle is not against flesh and blood. It is a spiritual matter (Ephesians 6:12). This is the real battle. Too often I look at things from my point of view, rather than God’s. My "enemy" is not any person or problem but the devil who would love to bring defeat in my life. It’s easy for me to worry about the outcomes and potential problems, forgetting that God is far greater. His will and his purposes will prevail. Like Hezekiah, I want to always trust God for His strength and protection. He is able to do far more than we can even imagine!

PRAYER:
Father, forgive me for not always trusting you. Thank you that you are a God who brings victory! Help me to depend on you more and remember that you are greater than any worry or challenge or problem I face. I love you and want to live my life fully following You. AMEN.