The War is God's

King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3 that to everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven and even said in verse 8 "...a time of war, and a time of peace."  God's word is infinitely more than poetry but a revelation of God's everlasting truth.  In all seasons we are assured of rest in the God who fiercely protects His people from harm, even as He did for the Hebrews who faced the blockade of the Red Sea.  Exodus 14:13-14 reads, "And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

During the conquest of Canaan and on other occasions the Bible reveals there were times God's people were directed to do more than walk around Jericho, set an ambush around Ai, to wield a sling and stone or wait for the sound of marching in the trees.  After folly was wrought in Israel by men of Benjamin, Judah and other tribes went up to battle against them.  When the people of Jabesh-Gildead were threatened with violence by Nahash, King Saul mustered the whole army to deliver them from their hateful oppressor.  The Philistine champion of Gath defied the armies of the living God, and David was given the victory when he charged Goliath with the blessing of God and the king.

I was reminded how the battle is the LORD's when I was wading through a genealogy in 1 Chronicles 5:17-22 concerning the sons of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh:  "They made war with the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. ²⁰ And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. ²¹ Then they took away their livestock--fifty thousand of their camels, two hundred and fifty thousand of their sheep, and two thousand of their donkeys--also one hundred thousand of their men; ²² for many fell dead, because the war was God's. And they dwelt in their place until the captivity."  Many were slain "because the war was God's."  There is great comfort here for the child of God, for we know He is faithful to deliver those who trust Him.

Moses affirmed God's power to protect and save His people in his song following the destruction of the Egyptian army that pursued the Hebrews in Exodus 15:1-3:  "Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! ² The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father's God, and I will exalt Him. ³ The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name."  The manner of our warfare with our glorious God under the new covenant is not one of conquest of cities and nations but one of casting down arguments in our own minds and hearts that exalt themselves against Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-6).  Our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God who enables us by the power of the Holy Spirit to obey Him.

The children of Israel were terrified when they saw the Egyptian army bearing down upon them in chariots; the men of Jabesh-Gilead were distressed, hopeless and helpless to resist their enemy.  Yet God fought for His people and gave them success in the battle because they trusted in Him.  Will He not also fight for us when it comes to conflict in the inner man, in the battle with doubt and condemnation that rages in our hearts, with lust of the eyes and pride of life?  Believer, we can be sure without a doubt He is our strength and salvation.  In us there is no wisdom or strength for the battle to find contentment in lack or abundance, but we can do all things God asks of us by Jesus Christ who strengthens us.

We will stand up, rejoice and praise God because the war is God's who gives deliverance, salvation and eternal life for all who trust in Him.