The Battle

While on the airplane last week, I scrolled through my Kindle and began reading a book I had not read in awhile entitled The Art of War by the great military strategist and general Sun Tzu.  It is a phenomenal book about preparing for battle but it could be applied to many aspects of life including career and even challenges associated with bad decisions or unhealthy relationships.  However, this particular time I could not help but associate the book’s contents with spiritual warfare and specifically the following passage:

“All warfare is based on deception.  Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.” (Tzu, Sun, The Art of War)

Sun Tzu asserts that the key to victory in battle is outsmarting the enemy.  Applying this approach to spiritual warfare, I asked myself “Should I try to outsmart the enemy? Am I smart enough to outsmart the enemy? Am I strong enough to even fight the enemy?  God gave the answer in 2 Chronicles.

The Word of God today comes from 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

“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. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 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.'”

When we talk about spiritual warfare, this war is not like an earthly war.  In our earthly wars, the victory is determined by many factors and how these factors play out have direct impact on the side that is left standing.  The scripture lets us know that where God is involved that the battle is not ours but God’s.  This Word reminds us that because the battle is God’s, there are several things we do not need to worry about.  First, we do not need to worry about the SIZE of the enemy.  The Word describes the army as “vast” but, in the same sentence tells us not to be afraid or discouraged.  No matter how big the enemy is we have nothing to fear.  Secondly, we do not need to worry about the STRATEGY of the enemy.  The Word tells us where the enemy will climb and where it will end up but in the same sentence we are told to march down against them.  We know the enemy’s strategy and we can still march down against them.  Lastly, we do not need to worry about the STRENGTH of the enemy.  The Word tells us we will not even need to fight in the battle.  The presence of God weakens the enemy so much that all we need to do is take up our positions, stand firm and watch the Lord do His thing.  I am excited today that we serve a God that says “go out to face tomorrow because I am with you.”