The Battle is the Lord's

If you are a Christian, you are a theologian.  You have no choice.  Theology is simply knowing about God.  In fact, since Christians are called to grow in their knowledge of God, part of the very goal of the Christian life is theology.  Theology is a normal part of the Christian life--a part that gives rise to everything else.  --James White, The Forgotten Trinity.

I have had the day from you-know-where today.  If not for the grace of God, well, all kinds of things--let's not go there.

On second thought, let's.

Last night in my quiet time, I was reading in 2 Samuel 10.  The enemies of Israel were arrayed against David and his kingdom.  More importantly, they were arrayed against the Kingdom of God.  The Ammonites hired mercenaries from Aramea.  20,000 battle-tested soldiers were joined by 12,000 men of Tob, and a thousand more from the king of Maacah.  Don't worry, I don't know who these people were, either.  That's the point--only the victors are remembered in history.

Aw, nuts!  I've gone and spoiled it already.  Let's start again.  Thirty-three thousand battle-tested soldiers and mercenaries storming the gates of Jerusalem.  Half were standing at the main gates in front, and half stationed in the fields behind the city.  Joab, David's general, knew this was a good battle plan, a wise war tactic.  If David's army fought against those at the front gates, the enemy would come in from behind.  If the Israeli army fled out of the back of the city, those at the front would storm the gates while the Lord's army was engaged with those in the fields.  Brilliant!

Joab's solution was to set half of the King's Guard at the front gates, led by himself.  The other half would fight in the rear under the direction of Joab's brother Abishai.  His plan was simple--if Joab's forces were having trouble, Abishai's troops would help them; but if Abishai's warriors were overwhelmed, then Joab's men would come to their aid.

Joab left them with this rallying cry:  "Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight."  (2 Samuel 10:12, emphasis added.)

He did not give them false hope.  They were outnumbered and outflanked.  There was no, "We've got the power!"  No "This is OUR HOUSE!"  He didn't say, "This is where we fight; this is where they die."  An honest assessment meant that they were not entirely sure of victory that day.  Yet they gave it to God.  "May the Lord do what is good in His sight."

I like that.  We are engaged in a spiritual battle. By ourselves we are out-manned and out-maneuvered.  Our trust is not in ourselves, it is in God alone.  You find this sentiment echoed in many Old Testament scriptures.  One of them is Esther 4:16: "If I perish, I perish."  The thought is that if I live or if I die, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Even today, we trust not in ourselves.  Our trust is in God alone.  This is the very meaning behind grace.  After this riveting Old Testament story in my quiet time last night, I read the New Testament story of the birth of John the Baptist in Luke 1.  In my Bible I highlighted the prophetic word John's father Zacharias spoke over his new-born son.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant--as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old--"Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;" --Luke 1:68-71

Now that sounds more like a battle cry, doesn't it?  He goes on to describe what we are saved to, or saved for:

To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.  --Luke 1:73b-75

Now, most of us are not soldiers, airmen, or marines.  We are civilians, engaged in commerce, not commando raids.  We are more used to the sound of idyllic banter than to the noise of intense battle. However, just beyond the realm of what is seen is an enemy who "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8).

In light of the spiritual battle before us, let's read further the prophetic word that Zacharias spoke over his son John.  "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways." (Luke 1:76).  Jesus Himself verified this statement, and validated John's mission when He said in Luke 7:28, "Among those born of women there is no one greater than John."  Jesus made this statement even while John was in prison, awaiting execution at the hand of Herod.  Think about that.

Zecharias went on to prophesy what his progeny's purpose would be:  "To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins."  (Luke 1:77).  The Greek word for "salvation" is the word soteria, which can mean deliverance, preservation, and safety.  How can we be delivered, preserved, and safe from Satan and the effects of sin?  By the forgiveness of our sins.  John's message was "repent", but it was a message of grace.  Sin separates us from a holy God.  The only antidote to sin is God's forgiveness.  We cannot be good enough on our own--we are always stained with sin.  Only the covering of the righteousness of Christ through His blood shed on the cross can cover our sin. God Himself saves us from Himself, unto Himself, for Himself.  Who knew the doctrine of soteriology could be so simple and yet so deep?

The prophecy of Zecharias goes on to say, "Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us." (Luke 1:78).  The word translated "mercy" can mean "Kindness or goodwill towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them."  Charitable men and women can exhibit this godly quality, but at the end of the day we humans are only in it for ourselves.  We do charity to feel good about ourselves, or to be seen as good to other people.  God's mercy is not for our applause but for our need.  He doesn't show mercy so we will think better of Him; He shows mercy because it is His very nature.  It can be counted upon as surely as the sun rises in the East every morning.

As if to underscore the mercy of God, Zecharias's prophecy over his son John the Baptist ends this way: "To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."  This is the gospel, the good news.  No matter how bad your day has gone or is going, we have the promise of peace.  Not peace like the world gives, but the peace of God, which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).  Strong's concordance (the major study aid of this entire post) defines peace in this way:

1. Exemption from the rage and havoc of war.
2. Peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord.
3. Security, safety, prosperity, and felicity. (Because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous.)
4. Of the Messiah's peace, the way that leads to salvation.
5. Of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.

Are you having a bad day?  The worst day on earth is better than the best day in hell. Peace be with you.  Are you facing and enemy that has you overwhelmed? Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart: I have overcome the world."  Peace be with you.  Are you facing certain death? "May the Lord do what is good in His sight."  God's peace be with you.

We have a sure defender
A strong and mighty captain
Leading us in battle
His Name is Lord of all

Celebrate His conquering raise his banner
Lift him high, lift Him high

Not with a sword to destroy
Not with a shield to defend
Not with a spear to kill
But in the name of Lord
The battle is the Lord's

Not with a sword to destroy
Not with a shield to defend
Not with a spear to kill
But in the name of Lord
The battle is the Lord's

His Name is Our salvation
A strong and mighty tower
We will exalt Him
The Son of Righteousness
Worthy of Glory, sing His praises
Lift Him high, lift Him high

Not with a sword to destroy
Not with a shield to defend
Not with a spear to kill
But in the name of Lord
The battle is the Lord's

I will lift up the Name
The Name above all names
All Heaven and earth must bow
Before the Name almighty, God (all mighty)

Not with a sword to destroy
Not with a shield to defend
Not with a spear to kill
But in the name of Lord
The battle is

Not with a sword to destroy
Not with a shield to defend
Not with a spear to kill
But in the name of Lord
In the name of Lord
The battle is the Lord's 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJb6PY_U8S8