Friday, 10 July 2009

• Bloodless Victory in a Bloody War: When All Seems Hopeless

  Have you received that gut-wrenching phone call, read that ominous prayer card, held the hand of the suicidal walk-in so overtaken with sorrow that it broke you?

  And as you listened to the cry of the faceless heart that bled desperation, read through the tear-stained stories recounting horrifying events about 5-yr-old rape victims, abandoned wives left destitute, family members prematurely burying loved ones snuffed out by disease, and Christian grandmothers interceding for drug-addicted grandchildren in bondage to rebellion and lasciviousness, you couldn’t help but wonder—

  What is one to do when the battle seems hopeless and the enemy too great?

  We all have our familial coping mechanisms passed down by generations before us, some influenced by culture, others by traditional “religious” beliefs that sound something like, “the Lord helps those that help themselves.” But, if we are to be totally honest with one another, many of us who’ve been through a challenge or two know that in the throes of a spiritual battle, your initial response was that of crippling fear. You can pray a scorned spouse through, but when your own husband or wife serves you with divorce papers, it’s a struggle to muster up a coherent Amen!

  You can hold the hand of a mourning mother, but when the doctor informs you that it’s your firstborn that’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer, old wise tales and unscriptural proverbs serve only to frustrate and drive you deeper into the tomb of despair. 
  

  It is only in the living Word that we can feed off of truth and be girded up by God’s strength, which is made perfect in our weakness. It is only in the Word that we can find a very present help in the time of trouble, a God who bestows grace and mercy and offers promises that keep us sane and steadfast in our faith. It took me spending a few nights on my own face crying out from hurt no man could see nor cure until I realized that God, and only God, is able to perform the impossible and give me Bloodless Victory in a Bloody War!!

  In 2 Chronicles 20, there’s a fascinating story about a desperate King by the name of Jehoshaphat. He was delivered a message that he and his kingdom were in danger of being overtaken by nearby tribes. These were enemies whom God had instructed Israel to spare when they came out of Egypt [Deuteronomy 2:9]. Yet, when the opportunity presented itself, years later these same people joined forces with the intent of overthrowing Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah.

  Understanding that he was surrounded on every side and that his enemies had already advanced towards his territory, it immediately became clear to Jehoshaphat that a victory against such a vast army was virtually impossible.

  Consequently, the Bible says this mighty King fully equipped with warriors, chariots, and weapons was -- alarmed! But, after the initial bout with fear, Jehoshaphat’s second response was to seek the will of God.

  Surprisingly, God didn’t give him a militaristic surefire way to deceive and defeat his enemy, he didn't even show him how to defend his kingdom. Instead, God simply promises Jehoshaphat victory if he trusted Him to fight in his stead.

  15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat...'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,...Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

  The people praised God as they marched, and God responded by confusing their enemy and causing the tribes to turn on one another. By the time the King and his soldiers were positioned to actually see their enemy, all that was left were dead bodies.

  22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

   24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing e] and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26

  When God fights your battle no one escapes! 

  There are times when God will cause those very same people who joined forces to devastate you, to turn around and attack one another while you are hiding under God's shadow. Sometimes in life the enemy can place you in a position where in the natural no matter what you say or do, there is no foreseeable way to fight your way out and all that is required of you is praise. This is bloodless victory!

  Have you ever gone through a situation that seemed hopeless, and when you look back you know that it took a miracle from God to get you out?

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