When You’re Fighting a Losing Battle…God is Victorious
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31 ESV)
I just can’t win, I thought. I’m fighting a losing battle.
In my wildest worries, I never expected to find myself struggling as a newly single mother of two college-age boys.
Along with the emotional carnage of a divorce, I was dealing with financial woes. For the first time in my life, I had the sole responsibility of making ends meet. As I crunched the numbers on my budget spreadsheet, I saw that my expenditures surpassed my income.
A hint of hope floated my way, though, when I heard rumors of pay raises for teachers. Ready to sign a contract for the upcoming school year, I sat expectantly in the Superintendent’s office. But when I looked at the numbers for the salary he offered, I did a double take.
No pay raise for me!
“Oh,” the Superintendent explained, “we’re giving pay raises to our less experienced teachers. With your experience, you’ve reached the maximum salary we can offer.”
I wanted to argue and plead and shout, “Not fair!”
My professional demeanor disappeared. As tears dripped down my cheeks, I’m sure I looked like a kid who’d just dropped her ice cream on the sidewalk.
My problems seemed unsurmountable.
Had my trust in God been in vain?
But a co-worker shared a verse with me, and I clung to it.
“And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV)
I needed to trust God to fight my battles.
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
Second Chronicles 20 records the account of huge armies marching towards Jerusalem to attack King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. We can learn from Jehoshaphat’s response.
” Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)
Jehoshaphat began by praising God for his power and might, and reminding God of his promises to Abraham. The king brought the problem before the Lord, and concluded his prayer with a plea:
“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV)
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel in the assembly, and Jahaziel proclaimed a prophecy: God would defeat their enemies. (verses 12-17)
Praising, Singing, and Marching
Then the people worshiped, and the next day they went into battle. Jehoshaphat inspired the people to have faith in God. Then he appointed singers to go ahead of the army, praising God. And as they were singing, praising, and marching, God was working behind the scenes to orchestrate their victory. When the men of Judah finally met up with the “vast army,” they found only dead bodies. (Read the whole story in 2 Chronicles. It’s amazing.)
The army of Judah returned to Jerusalem with more singing, praising, and music. God had fought for them and defeated the enemy.
God fought my battles during that dismal chapter of my life. I didn’t get a pay raise, but my bills were always paid on time. God provided for me, financially and otherwise, in ways I never would have expected.
And even now, when I face seemingly unsurmountable difficulties, I have to remind myself I can still be victorious because I belong to a victorious God.
When we feel outnumbered, outwitted, and out of options, God will fight our battles for us.
Are you fighting…
- the battle of the budget?
- attacks on your health?
- assaults on your character?
- struggles in your workplace?
- strife in your relationships?
- worries over world events?
Don’t let conflicts turn you into a worrier rather than a warrior. Remember the victory belongs to the Lord.
If you’ve done all you can, and you still feel like you’re fighting a losing battle, look to God. He is the Victorious One.
Father, when I feel defeated, and when I’m tempted to doubt and despair, I remember I can put my trust in you. When I have no power to fight my enemies, I will remember that power and might are in your hands, and no one can withstand you. You have power over sin, over death, and over all my circumstances. When I don’t know what to do, I will turn my eyes toward you. You are the Victorious One. Amen.
