200: The Battle Belongs To The Lord
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1)
"looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com
.
I am so inadequate for victory. God allows giants to appear in our lives so that His glory will be seen. Like Jehoshaphat we often see the impossibilities of what we face. There is NO game plan outside of trusting that the battle we are facing is the Lord’s, not ours.
There are times when it seems God will call us to “throw the stone”, open our mouths or DO something in response to our enemy and there are also other times where we are called to stand still in faith and in worship only.
We truly need endurance for our battles and challenges, praise God that Holy Spirit is here to give us godly endurance.
Great podcast, Pastor Jeff.
I needed this encouraging message this week. We are facing a battle within our family right now. The battle is not ours but truly is the Lord’s. I was a competitive runner as a young kid and all the way through my college years so I can relate to Hebrews 12:1 & 2. I have to remind myself often to run this race with endurance and to stay focused on what lies ahead and to keep my eyes on Jesus as He is the author and perfecter of my faith. Boy, this life as a Christian can get so tiring and God is continuing to draw me unto Himself each day. I’m looking to the Lord for wisdom and for the victory in this particular battle that is only found in Him. But, He is moving. Wow we don’t have a plan of action either as of yet, but I am believing God for Him to do a new thing as well in our situation. God is so good and He is slowly answering prayers that we have been praying for months and even years. This message really ministered to me and I’m grateful to walk through this so that it will better equip me for the counseling setting. I want to be His instrument to help others to draw their strength from the Lord for the battles they face and to walk in victory over them. I’m not sure if I’m to stand still right now, but I trust He will guide me and will tell me whether or not I take action. I just need to be ready if and when He says move. But, I love how God did different things in the two battles and both belonged to the Lord. Each situation and battle are unique and complex. Therefore, it is relationship based as Pastor Jeff said and so that’s why we abide in the Lord and look to Jesus. We look to the Lord for victory! He is the one who authored my faith and He’s the one who will develop and perfect it too! What God accomplishes is far greater than what I could ever do in my own strength. This is such a great message of freedom. It’s not my battle to fight so the pressure is off of me. Thank the Lord that He is sufficient to fight this battle and to gain the sufficient victory!
I’m so sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult circumstance and yet I rejoice because like yourself I know that you WILL see the Lord’s hand in it in the end. I often rejoice in looking back over my past battles and seeing how God was working on my behalf. How he contended against the evil one who was contending against me. Standing with you in faith that you will see the Lord exalted through whatever you’re going through.
I love David’s confidence in the Lord, he clearly knew whose battle it was. He went out in the Lord’s strength and placed the situation in the Lord’s hands. There are times we try to fight battles in our own strength and as Pastor Jeff mentioned we never fully have victory but placing it God’s capable hands there is freedom and increased faith as we see the Lord work.
I agree! I pray for the confidence that David had to stand up against Goliath and fight the battle that was before him. Lord knows I have tried to fight too many battles on my own, but as I grow in the Lord I’m learning as each one is so different that if I just listen to His voice He will tell me what to do… either fight or stand still. His hands are capable. It is only in Him that we will ever find true freedom and victory in the battles we face.
I so agree! David was not arrogant but rather super confident in the faithfulness of God. All while David was hidden behind the scenes attending the flocks, the Holy Spirit was communing with him and teaching him about the glory and the power of God!