Loving Battle
Jesus did not come to eliminate the conflict we will face rather He came to arm us for battle. He came to make us strong and courageous.
“Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is what is required by the law that the Lord gave Moses: Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. But it must also be purified with the water of cleansing. And whatever cannot withstand fire must be put through that water...Divide the spoils equally between the soldiers who took part in the battle and the rest of the community."
Numbers 31:21-24, 27, 50
God had given the people victory in their battle. There is much we can learn from the process and this passage. The soldiers who stepped up did not know how the battle would go. They only knew that God had spoken through Moses for them to go into battle against the evil of Midian. Imagine how the people must have felt prior to going into the battle. There were certainly people who were afraid and chose not to fight. You cannot go through life and not have battles.
The question you will face is whether you will trust God as you face the trials and tests of life. Eleazar said to the people that like precious metals you must withstand the fire and experience the purification of cleansing. What would happen if we looked at the adversity as an opportunity to trust and grow through our testing. It has been said you cannot have a testimony without a test. What is your testimony? Does it not involve how Jesus met you at your place of need and helped you through the fire? Does it not involve how He cleansed you as you were baptized in His name?
Everyone wants the spoils of victory, but very few people find the beauty of learning the blessing of the righteous battle. This mindset is certainly not advocating for creating conflict. The invitation is to put on the armor of God, the clothing of Christ, and choose to step into the battle with the confidence that the love of Christ will prevail.
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created...Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens."
Psalms 148:1-5, 13-14
David had his share of battles. The stories of his life from shepherd boy to king are littered with conflict. What can we learn from David's song about the state of his heart and his battle tested mindset?
David sings the praises of God because he knows it is not a fair fight. God is greater. He is all powerful and undefeated. The Bible says that we face spiritual battles in addition to the difficulty we face living on this planet. How can you have peace in the battle? Choose to praise the God who always wins. This does not mean we won't experience pain. Rather it means that God's purposes will always prevail and we do not have to fear the enemy. How can you raise a hallelujah? How can you sing a song of praise through whatever battle you face whether it is financial, relational, spiritual, emotional, physical, or psychological?
“Look! It is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty warriors, the noblest of Israel, all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night.”
Song of Songs 3:1-2, 7-8, 11
Solomon was wise about how he faced a battle. Solomon did not attempt to fight the difficulties he would face alone. How did Solomon face the terrors of the night? He surrounded himself with people who were prepared. How have you surrounded yourself with others who can give you strength?
Walking by faith requires we learn to discern what is true and false. The voice of truth says that you were made to live in community and life will be better when you connect your life to other faithful believers. The voice of the enemy, the false voice, says you should run from the battle, hide, isolate, and are better off alone. Which voice are you listening to today?
“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel, therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations...I will destroy you, and you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”
Ezekiel 25:6-7
Do you ever think about the battle you are facing and think that you are not strong enough? Do you ever feel helpless or weak? Do you ever wonder how there could ever be a way to victory? You are not alone. We all have doubts and uncertainty when we look through our earthly perspectives with our limited vantage points.
Scripture shows that we serve a God who will fight our battles. In this passage, Ezekiel tells how God stepped up and struck down those whose hearts were set on harming God's people. Pastor Mark Batterson says that we need to stop talking to God about our problems and start talking to our problems about God. How could this advice help you? How could declaring that you follow a God who is mighty in power and greater than what you face give you the strength to move forward today? Where do you need to let your battle know that God will fight for you?
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love...Come, Lord! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14, 17-18, 22-24
From the time Paul gave his life to serving Jesus, he faced battle after battle. What does Paul say? Be on your guard! Why are we surprised that in a world of people who sin we will experience battles? Paul says don't be surprised, instead be on your guard. Think about times where you might argue with a loved one on the way to church or you have a day derailed by offense. You fight battles that are more than flesh and blood. The enemy of your life wants nothing more than to derail your plans of serving God. What helps you? Be on your guard and stand firm in your faith in Jesus. Don't run. Don't hide. Don't isolate. Stand firm and expect the battles to come knowing that Jesus wins every battle because love is the most powerful force on the planet.
Paul says be strong and courageous. This is the same battle cry that Joshua shouted in the Old Testament and is repeated 365 times in scripture. Fear not. Being strong and courageous is not about avoiding fear. It is allowing God to strengthen you in the midst of the battle and giving you the strength of heart to walk in your identity as a child of God. The best way to be strong and courageous is to stand on the promises of God that He is with you and He is for you. Where do you need a little more strength or a little more courage? Call on Jesus and He will bring you exactly what you need at your point of need.
Paul says do everything in love. Is this the filter for your life? We toss the word love around like a baseball, but the Greek word for love, agape, means so much more than to like a lot. Paul is reiterating the words of Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount. He is saying that you will find victory in surrendering your heart, the outcomes of the fight, your pride, and your ways to Jesus. As you become less, Jesus becomes greater. It is with a heart of humility, self-sacrifice, and service that we win the battles. Paul is not saying you will get your way or win every battle for your own glory or to get something you want. He is saying that the spoils of war are lives that glorify God by becoming love in the midst of hate. He is calling us to become light in the darkness and allow the fires we go through to reveal hearts that are faithfully devoted to Jesus. How will you respond to the next battle you face? Paul says trust in Jesus and allow His love to lead you to victory.