The Lord will fight for you - 18 September 2024

The Old Testament details the lives of the patriarchs and their families, the apple of God’s eye. He chose the Israelites to build a nation through whom the whole world would be blessed, while the Hebrew Scriptures remain the foundation of our Bible today.

In Finding Messiah, Jennifer M Rosner writes: “… in reality, what are so often perceived as dusty Jewish concepts stood at the very heart of Jesus’ gospel proclamation. For his early followers, Jesus’ mission and message was absolutely incomprehensible outside the framework of God’s covenant with the Jewish people and the promises that anchored that covenant. Jesus came to fulfil the promises that had been made to the people of Israel, not to replace God’s chosen people with a new group.”

But way back, Israel was a budding nation with virtually no military prowess. The Lord chose to fight for Israel when their enemies threatened to annihilate them, and when the devil tried to thwart God’s plans. Thus when the Israelites had just left Egypt after the ten plagues, and were then hotly pursued by the Egyptians, who quickly regretted setting them free, God stepped in. Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

In another moment threatening certain annihilation, God himself defended Israel against its enemies outright. Their joy was surely replete when God delivered them as recorded in 2 Chronicles 20. Nonetheless, God required them to take up their positions. “Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah … He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them … You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” (2 Chronicles 20:14-17)

These verses have always stood me in good stead on the days when I have felt as though life’s battles were raging on unabated. Often feeling inadequate to the task and despite many verses encouraging me not to fear, it is such a reminder about the strong arm of God.

The amazing news is that God fights for us. Jesus went to war with the devil that day on the cross. Bloodied and poured out for our sake, he delivered us from death’s sting for eternity. He died that we may be redeemed and live lives free from guilt, shame and fear. Graciously, we are now able to experience shalom, but someday, also in all its fullness. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Thank you, Father God, that your Word teaches us how to stand firm and take up our positions. Even when you fight for us, it is not a passive matter; you want your people fully present and committed. Amen