Over the last few weeks, we have established the reality of spiritual warfare. Now, we need to learn how to survive in this invisible battle. The first thing to remember is that “the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47); therefore, we must be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). We have no natural power with which to defeat the forces of darkness. If I am to be victorious, I must draw my strength from the Lord. It was this acknowledgement that gave victory to men like David and Jehoshaphat.
David and Goliath
When David faced Goliath, he made it clear that he stood in God’s strength.
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45–47
Jehoshaphat
Likewise, when Jehoshaphat cried to the Lord for deliverance from his enemies, the prophet Jahaziel responded:
Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15
Remember
It is critical that we remember the battle is the Lord’s lest we be overcome with fear and discouragement.