For the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Deuteronomy 20:4

Have you ever felt like you were going to have a conflict with someone and fight the battle in your mind before you even see them? We strategize, we contemplate what their verbal responses will be and how we can respond in the most clever and cutting fashion. We think of ways to inflict the greatest possible damage with our words, typically. Of course, this is all contrary to the teachings of the Lord.

We want to be able to defend our selves, whether it is against someone who we are going to have a conflict with or maybe it is a police officer who may be pulling us over. Typically, there is some guilt and/or pride on our part that causes us to strategize this way.

If there is no guilt and/or pride and you have legitimate fear or concern, there is no reason to strategize because God says that you don’t have to Fight Your Own Battles. The scripture assures us that God will fight our battles for us. “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Does that mean that everything will always work out the way that we think it should? No, sometimes it will look like we have lost the battle. But if we have honored and glorified God and done our best to please Him, we have already won the battle. And God’s plans and ways are higher than ours and beyond our comprehension. We have to trust God’s promises and that He is going to fight for us (For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. Deuteronomy 20:4), we have to trust Him to have our best interest at heart (I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11); we have to trust him to protect us (But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

There are much better ways to for us to be spending our time, especially when you consider how short our time is here and how little time we have to glorify God to the world around us. We should be spending our time praying, instead of strategizing (do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.). We should be loving our enemies, instead of strategizing (But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44). We should be trusting God, instead of trying to plan what we will say or do (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5 & 6) We should be rejoicing and giving thanks because it glorifies God and because He has already won this battle for us (Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). And finally, remember, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us.” Romans 8:31. And the answer is no one, because He is all we need.

I pray that today we would spend our time drawing closer to God, trusting Him and His promises and loving those around us. That we would praise God for the victories that He has won in our lives and will continue, most of all the victory over death when we repented, we redeemed and received the gift of eternal life. Let’s love those around us, even our enemies, and glorify our incredible Heavenly Father.

If you have not trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and have been attempting to Fight Your Own Battles, I pray that you would go to our life preserver page and pray the prayer outlined there. Once you have done this, please let me know so that I can pray for you and help you grow in your relationship with and knowledge of our Precious Savior.

Luv Ya!