Help in the Battle

A passage I read this morning was a good reminder some battles are too big for us to handle alone.  We often fail to walk in victory because the battle we are fighting is not one He has called us to fight, we lack to exercise faith in God, imagine we can win by our efforts, or we are unwilling to ask others for assistance.  There are countless ways we can fail, and the only surefire way of victory is faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.

After the ambassadors King David sent to Ammon were shamed, the Ammonites hired Syrians as mercenaries for protection because their disgraceful conduct was basically a declaration of war.  In response to the large force assembled against them, David sent general Joab to quash the threat.  Joab found himself in a difficult position to fight on two fronts, with the Ammonites before and the Syrians behind.  It is challenging enough to fight the enemy in front of you, but how can you contend with enemies one cannot see?

2 Samuel 10:9-12 reads, "When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. ¹⁰ And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon. ¹¹ Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. ¹² Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight."  By the grace and power of God Israel won the battle that day, and God used Joab and Abishai to lead his people to victory over their enemies.  The Syrians were beaten so soundly they were afraid to ever help Ammon fight Israel again.

Joab experienced victory because he took courage in God in whom he trusted.  In obedience to his king Joab went to war with his brethren.  He involved his brother Abishai to take the lead to "have his back" because there were enemies on both sides.  Joab did not see himself as a pillar of strength but realised during the battle he or Abishai would need help to prevail.  His plan of attack and dividing the army for mutual benefit was under girded by faith in God and His sovereign goodness.  Joab had an advantage we might not, for we do not always realise we are in a battle or conflict.  There are internal, external and spiritual forces at work that evade our notice.  Regardless of the nature of the battle, realisation of our weakness and need for God and others are keys to experiencing victory God provides by grace.

Our strength comes from abiding in Christ by faith with recognition of our inability to do anything for Him on our own.  Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-12, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."  We are called to be prepared to fight the LORD's battles, and many of these battles take place in our own minds.  2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us our weapons are not carnal but mighty in pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments that oppose the knowledge of God, and bring every though into captivity to the obedience of Jesus.  Jesus has overcome, and as we follow Him we are led into victory.