Whose fight are you fighting
WHOSE FIGHT ARE YOU FIGHTING?
Family
When Abraham left all that he knew to pursue God, his nephew Lot went with him. In Genesis 13 v 7 – 8 we learn that God blessed them both with flocks, herds and tents. Disputes broke out because they could not coexist together as their people felt that there were not enough natural resources to share between them.
“And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land. So Abram said to Lot “Please let there be no contention between you and me or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are brothers.”
Abraham recognised the importance and value of family and avoiding division at all cost. He humbly and with great meekness shut down an opportunity for the root of a family feud to establish itself in how he dealt reasonable with Lot and that kept his heart right before God.
Later in Genesis 14 v 11 – 12 Chedolaomer – King of Elam, Tidal – King of Goim, Amraphel – King of Shinar and Arioch – King of Ellasar, kidnapped Lot, Lot’s family, Lot’s possessions and all the people when they got caught up in these kings war with an alliance of rival kings.
“And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis 14 v 14
“He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and all his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people.” Genesis 14 v 16
Because they had parted on good terms there was no anger, bitterness, resentment or loss of love between them. This made coming promptly to Lot’s rescue easy and done from a right heart and not from a begrudging heart.
Shielding
Our Father God can and does shield us from those who want to fight against the fulfilment of His plans and His will in our lives. In 1 Samuel 28 v 26 this is illustrated with King Saul’s murderous pursuit of David. But God kept David hidden from harm.
“Saul was proceeding on one side of the mountain and David and his men along the other side.”
We can trust our Father God to be our banner and our shield.
Seeking wise counsel
While King Saul went to seek advice from a medium, David sought his advice from the One true Living God.
“Now it was reported to David “Look the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.” So David enquired of the Lord “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” David’s people were frightened but God assured them “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
1 Samuel 23 v 1 – 3
Even though David rescued the people of Keilah, they were happy to betray him and hand him over to King Saul, even though they knew he wanted to kill him and his destiny. God did not let that happen! Sometimes the very people we help in life are totally ungrateful and occasionally will unjustly betray us by their words or actions to others. Forgive them!
When the Amalekites raided Ziglag and took all the people hostage, again David did not make a move to rescue them without counsel from God first.
“Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them” the Lord replied “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”
1 Samuel 30 v 7
And God gave him success.
One View – Two Perspectives
In Numbers 13, most of the people that Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land brought back a bad report or a worldly perspective. Their report reduced their view of themselves to a grasshopper mentality – small, insignificant, and easily crushed. But Caleb saw the same things that they saw but through different eyes. He had a godly perspective that empowered him and strengthen him to say:
“We must go up and take possession of the land for I know we can certainly conquer it.” Numbers 13 v 30
Joshua, son of Nun, stood in agreement with Caleb and said:
“The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them. Numbers 14 v 6
To be led by God is to confidently follow God’s lead. You cannot expect the best outcome without the God of the ‘exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask for’ when you don’t do what he tells you to do in the season when action is required. But the people of Israel would not listen. When they decided to act it was outside the will of God. Moses said to them:
“Why are you transgressing the commandment of the Lord. This will not succeed. Do not go up, lest you be struck down by your enemies, because the Lord is not among you.” Numbers 14 v 41 – 42
Neither Moses nor the Ark of the Covenant (i.e. God’s presence) left the camp. The people would not listen but went anyway were uncovered, unprotected and easily defeated. They went into battle fuelled by rebellion. God does not reward rebellion!!!
Equally, in 2 Chronicles 18, King Ahab’s defeat and subsequent demise was a result of refusing to heed the warning from the prophet Micaiah to not join forces in an alliance with Jehoshaphat in his own fight. God did not go with King Ahab. He chose instead to listen to the lying voices of others who coaxed him into the next life. Rebellion and listening to the persuasive words of seduction – no matter how it is packaged as beauty or military might is deadly!!!
Stand
When Pharaoh pursued the Israelites in the wilderness Moses said to the discouraged and frightened people:
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the Lord’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today, for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14 v 3 – 4
Sometime our Father God calls us to stand still – to stop either pressing forward or retreating backwards our battles! Do not be reactionary. Do not let your emotions get in the way of God being your victor.
Abigail was wise enough to leave her home, send provisions and bow down to appease David when her husband Nabal insulted him. Her presence made him stop. She said:
“Now, my Lord, as surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, the Lord has held you back from coming to bloodshed and avenging yourself with your own hand…” 1 Samuel 25 v 26
The lesson to be learnt here is that in your anger do not be deaf to wise advice. It will save you from the long-term effects of regret.
Although he and his people were frightened, when King Jehoshaphat was about to be attacked, within his prayer he acknowledged:
“Oh Lord, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against you.” 2 Chronicles 20 v 6
King Jehoshaphat needed the supernatural intervention of God in his situation. In recognition of his humility and prayer, Jahaziel prophesied in response and said:
“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s” 2 Chronicles 20 v 15
In every generation the message is the same ‘the battle belongs to the Lord’.
Choose the right kingdom
Jesus used 46 parables to tell the people about the Kingdom of Heaven, but like the seeds that feel on rocky and thorny ground – without much soil, they fell away from following Christ because of trouble, persecution, deceit and the worries of life. These believers did not set their hearts and minds on the Kingdom of Heaven. They wanted an earthly ruler.
The notorious prisoner Barabbas was jailed for sedition and murder. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines sedition as ‘language or behaviour that is intended to persuade other people to oppose their government’.
The name Barrabas means ‘son of the father’. Like father like son – robber, murderer and rebel. Satan is often referred to as the ‘father of sedition’ – rebellious, disobedient, active in civil disorder and mutiny.
Jesus said:
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Luke 10 v 18
There is no room in the Kingdom of God for rebellion and sedition.
Even knowing the type of person Barabbas was, the people put their trust in him and choose to release him as part of the annual Passover custom, thereby rejecting Christ Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. Barabbas’s revolutionary intent might have been well meaning but his methodology was all wrong. He tried to instigate change and freedom on his terms and with his limited human strength. His was an earthly fight and not a fight for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom purposes on earth. There is no room in the Kingdom of God for rebellion and sedition.
The blessing of peace
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” Psalm 118 v 8 – 9
Why? You need to trust the motives of the one who is leading.
In Isaiah 9 v 6 Jesus is described as the Wonderful Counsellor, Might God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. We are called to, wherever possible, to live at peace with others. It reflects the character of Jesus Christ.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for you will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5v9
We are not looking for the world’s definition of peace but that heavenly peace which comes from the Kingdom of God. Jesus said:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world do I give it to you. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let them be afraid.” John 14 v 27
How do you maintain that peace? By focussing on God and walking in covenant relationship with Him. Live at peace with men but be aware that there is a fight to be had in the heavenlies!
Choose the right fight
You need to choose the right fight as all fights are not worth fighting. The apostle Paul said:
“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6 v 12.
Speaking of himself at the end of his life he said “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but to all who crave his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4 v 7 – 8
And how do we fight? Our role is to “Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” Ephesians 6 v 18
Our only weapon of choice and necessity is praying in the Spirit and being guided by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ within us. Your sword is the Word of God. Effective prayer is based on knowing and using the Word of God. Your sword is useless without your armour. Do not leave the barracks without it.
Dressed for spiritual battle in the right fight
The apostle Paul said:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His Mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For the weapon of our warfare is not carnal but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full amour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the gospel of peace. In addition to all this take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6 v 10 – 17
Amen xxx