The Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s. (1 Sam. 17:47)
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.” (2 Chron. 20:15)
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!'” (Zech. 4:6-7)
Heavenly Father, I love it when you claim ownership of things I don’t really want anyway, like my battles, conflicts and life skirmishes. Though spiritual warfare will continue until Jesus returns, and though you give us all the resources we need to fight well (Eph. 6:10-18), it’s you we must trust, not our ability to fight
Indeed, we’re not to be disengaged pacifists, but fully engaged worshipers—beholding the salvation of the Lord. We’re never more than David facing Goliath with a few pebbles, or Zerubbabel facing a “mountain” of opposition without an engineering team. But with you, we will not be afraid. It’s your Spirit, never our stealth.
Whether it’s a mere skirmish or an all-out assault, the battle belongs to you, Father. Faith and peace are the order of the day. When we fear global upheaval or local terror, a present crisis or an unknown future, let us hear the laughter of heaven (Ps. 2:4). Show us the occupied throne of heaven, and it will shut up our fears (Rev. 4). Let us hear you shouting, “Grace, grace” to our opposition (Zech. 4:7).
When we’re under attack by the seducer, accuser, and condemner of the brethren, help us fix our eyes on Jesus—the author and perfecter of our faith. When our divided hearts wage war inside of us, send Jesus into the storm to bring us back to gospel sanity and make peace. So very Amen we pray, in his triumphant and tender name.
