The Battle

Belongs to the Lord

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I have been listening to the news.  This isn’t always a good idea for me. I like to keep informed, but sometimes, I think evil is winning.  I hear about Christians imprisoned simply for sharing their faith.  I hear of school shootings and other children being hurt. Then I see the rampant rise immorality in this country and many others and it all makes me wonder.

I used to tell my students they were in a battle, a battle for their hearts and minds.  I still believe we are in this battle, but I started to think we were losing the war.

That’s when a portion of verse started to run through my head.  The battle belongs to the Lord.  I found it was tied to one of the favorite Bible stories I’ve taught many a student, the story of David and Goliath.

In the story the Israelites are in a battle they feel they can’t win. The battle they are in is pretty much at a stale mate.  The opposing army keeps taunting them and telling them, the whole thing can be over if their best fighter is willing to fight, one of one, with the opposing army’s champion. 

Their champion is a giant.  He’s feet taller than most men and he’s an experienced fighter.  No one wants to challenge him.

It would seem to be hopeless.

Young David comes to the battle line to deliver lunch to his brothers.  He hears this giant provoking the Israelites and then he hears him say things against the God of Israel. 

David knows he can’t let this alone, so he alone challenges the giant.

1 Samuel 17:47

⁴⁷ “The Lord doesn’t save by using a sword or a spear. And everyone who is here will know it. The battle belongs to the Lord. He will hand all of you over to us.”

 

David knew that God fights for the righteous.  David steps up with no armor, no sword, just five smooth stones and a sling shot.  Goliath is killed.

This reminded me.  Even though the battle today is not against flesh and blood, the battle still belongs to the Lord.

Don’t lose heart, we will win in the end.