Finding Strength to Face Life Because the Lord Fights For Us

A number of the Scripture readings in my devotions this past week have struck me and spoken to me about our loving Lord. But, perhaps the truth of God which most hit me between the eyes is the promise I read in Deuteronomy 20. There God promises, 1 "When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 2 And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3 and shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4 for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4) These four verses set the context. However, it is verse 4 which really caught my attention. “ . . . the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'”

There are situations in our world, and in my life, which I know are bigger than I am, and beyond my ability to control. I watch our world turn away from our Lord and turn to sinful behaviors. I pray about these issues, but . . . People whom I love and care about face cancer and other illnesses. Others face marriage and family issues, with which I sometimes try to help, but at the same time the issues seem bigger than I am. There are people on my prayer list who struggle with substance issues. Some of them have been on my list FOR DECADES!

Perhaps my words are somewhat of a confession. I know many Scripture verses which tell me that our Lord is my “refuge”, my “strength”, my “rock”, my “deliverer.” Yet prayer is not like turning on a light switch. I do not see instant results. And, though I do trust that God hears and that He always answers in wisdom and love, sometimes I wonder. The evil and the sin and the trouble of this world are so strong. Perhaps I even doubt that God is fighting for me.

As I personally pondered these promises in Deuteronomy, wondering if and how this promise is true, I remembered. I remembered the cross and the empty tomb. Our Lord inspired Peter to teach us of our enemy, “8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) It was God HIMSELF who did fight for me against my enemy. Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, Jesus who is God Himself, faced all the temptations which Satan could bring against Him. God tells us in Hebrews that Jesus is “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Jesus was fighting for me!

Jesus faced betrayal, denial, injustice, mocking, torture, and death in order to pay the debt which my sin owes. Jesus did this willingly. (John 10:18) Hebrews 2:14 and 15 reveal that, “by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-- that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” On the cross Jesus paid for my sin and destroyed the devil. Jesus Himself was fighting . . . for me!

Jesus rose from the dead and defeated our greatest enemy. Scripture calls death “the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;” (Isaiah 25:7). I may wonder at times about the promise of God, and about how and when He keeps His promise, but in Jesus, the beloved Son of my Heavenly Father, it really is true. “ . . . the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

So, I do not personally have to understand how God fulfills this promise for my life, nor when He will answer my prayers. After all, who am I that I should tell the Lord and ruler of all what to do. Nevertheless, for my biggest enemies of sin and death and hell, Jesus the Son of God fought for me and defeated these enemies. Today I know that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) So, I pray so that I will keep trusting, and keep seeking to love my Lord and love my neighbors, knowing that, even though I do not understand how and when He does it, the “Lord my God fights against my enemies to give me the victory!”

What enemies are you facing today? What a joy and strength to see that in Jesus, The Lord fights for us!! Let us live in that love, and assurance, and victory!