DIGGING DEEP NO. 941 – June 28th 2022 GOD WILL FIGHT OUR BATTLES EXO 14:14; DEUT. 1:30

God will fight our battles and because he does, we do not have to live in anguish, be anxious, or be discouraged when we face challenges or trials in our lives. When it seems, a situation is hopeless or the matter at hand is too overwhelming, we may be tempted to doubt God. But Christians must remember that no problem is beyond the scope of God’s sovereign care for His children. He has promised to take care of us Philippians 4:19 make good plans for us Jeremiah 29:11 and love us beyond measure roman 8:37–39. In Exodus 14:14, Moses tells the children of Israel, “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” At that moment, they were standing at the edge of the Red Sea, hemmed in by the sea before them and the Egyptian army behind. The Israelites were in a seemingly impossible situation. They were incapable of escaping the situation on their own—they needed only to wait for God to move on their behalf. The battle that appeared to be between the Egyptians and the Israelites was in reality between the Egyptians and the Lord, God fought their battle for them. The lessons believers can learn from the Exodus account are powerful and life-changing. When Christians trust God to fight their battles, it enables them to circumvent what often accompanies conflict, i.e., panic, fear, and hopelessness Exodus 14:11–12. There are times when we can see absolutely no way around a problem, just like Israel when they were cornered. It’s quite probable not one of the Israelites ever imagined that the massive sea was going to split down the middle, providing their way of escape. When Christians believe God’s Word 2 Chronicles 20:17, they learn that no battle is too formidable or monumental for God to handle Joshua 1:5

Moses gave a review of some of Israel’s history in Deuteronomy 1. In his recap, he reminds them of the importance of having the courage and trusting God at the edge of the Promised Land. Forty years earlier, the Israelites had spied out the land and concluded that they were unable to go up against the Canaanites, who were too big and too strong Numbers 13:31—33. Due to that generation’s lack of faith, they were not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Moses tells the new generation to avoid their fathers’ lack of trust: “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes” Deuteronomy 1:29–30. As God’s people obeyed in faith, they would find triumph at every turn. “Victory rests with the LORD” Proverbs 21:31.

Israel, like many Christians today, had forgotten the previous battles God had fought for them all along the way Deuteronomy 2:7. The Israelite spies had seen “giants” in the land just like Christians today see “giant” obstacles, complications, and problems that seem too large to conquer. To let the “giants” steal our faith only leaves defeat and a lack of assurance in the God who is in control of every problem in our lives in spite of the size of the problem Romans 8:28.

God is in control, but that does not mean Christians get to avoid the battles—in fact, the Bible states the opposite 2 Timothy 3:12. “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” Romans 5:3–4. In order for a believer to live a life of endurance, character, and hope, we must put on our armor Ephesians 6:10–17 and trust the Deliverer. We “put no confidence in the flesh” Philippians 3:3.

Our confidence is in God, who will fight our battles and bring us safely home Jude 1:24–25. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” Psalm 20:7.

When the battles of life close in around you and you feel surrounded, where do you turn to?

God calls us to open our eyes and look beyond the things of this world to see him at work. He and the great company of heaven are at work in our world today, surrounding us and fighting for us. So, when the problems of this world feel like too much, turn to the word of God and His promises for encouragement and hope, and remember God is fighting for you. Be confident that God is there in the fire with you, surrounding you with His love and support. He is by your side every step of the way. 2 Kings 6:15-17 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Chronicles 20:20-21 20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of his might. Psalm 3; Psalm 27:3; Romans 8:31; Deuteronomy 3:22; Jeremiah 1:19