Random Journal Day: The Battle Is the Lord's!

Here we are again...Random Journal Day - (click HERE for more info)...a day when we brave souls grab an old journal off the shelf (or out of the drawer), dust it off, and randomly select an entry that is worthy of sharing with the rest of the world.  We've been doing this for about three years now, and I am always amazed at how God reminds us of His love and care over and over again.  The words written in our past often come back to help us in our future/present time. That's just how God works.

So I dug out this beautiful old journal again...and God directed me to the following entry, written about fourteen years ago as I was preparing for some major surgery as well as going through some difficult times personally.  Thankfully, I had been reading from God's Word every day and writing down verses as He opened them to my heart and spirit. Here's what I wrote on that March morning so long ago:

"It looks like rain today.  I hope it will rain all day and all night~then my flowers and trees will grow and be happy!  Today's devotional comes from Exodus 32...verse 9 says:

"I see how stiff-necked this people is..."

I pray today, Lord, that I would not be stiff-necked like the Israelites were in the day of Moses.  Forgive me, Lord, if I am being stubborn and inflexible in any area of my life.  I pray You will help me to be pliable and usable for Your kingdom.  I want to be Your humble servant-ready to do Your will.  Lord, I do not understand this trial that I am currently undergoing.  The battle seems to be closing in on me from all sides.  Yesterday, my friend ____ called and encouraged me from Your Word, O Lord.  II Chronicles 20:12-22 is a wonderful testimony of how I ought to face these battles I am enduring.  

Verse 12:

"O our God, will You not judge them?  For we have no power against

this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know

what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

Verse 15:

and he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and your 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!"

Verse 17:

"You will not need to fight in this battle. 

Position yourselves; 

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,

Who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!

(and me too, Lord?) (my note)

DO NOT FEAR OR BE DISMAYED;

Tomorrow go out against them,

for the Lord is with you."

Verse 21:

"And when he had consulted with the people, 

he appointed those who should sing to the Lord,

and who should PRAISE the beauty of holiness,

as they went out before the army and were saying,

'Praise the Lord,

For His mercy endures forever.'"

Verse 22:

"Now when they began to sing and to praise,

the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, 

who had come against Judah, 

AND THEY WERE DEFEATED!"

And then I wrote:  

"PRAISE GOD!  THAT IS THE ANSWER...PRAISE GOD!"

THE BATTLE BELONGS TO GOD!  I DO NOT NEED TO FIGHT IN THIS BATTLE.  I JUST NEED TO STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD---WHO IS WITH ME!

I JUST NEED TO PRAISE THE LORD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!  I DO NOT NEED TO FEAR OR BE DISMAYED...FOR THE LORD IS WITH ME!!  PRAISE YOU, JESUS!

AMEN!!!

On the very next page in this journal was written the lyrics to the worship song, "Shout to The Lord", which became my theme song of praise and victory:

"My Jesus, My Savior,

Lord, there is none like You.

All of my days,

I want to praise

the wonder of Your mighty love.

My Comfort, My Shelter,

Tower of Refuge and Strength,

Let every breath, all that I am,

never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord,

all the earth, let us sing,

Power and majesty, praise to the King..

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

at the sound of Your Name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your Hand,

Forever I'll love You,

Forever I'll stand;

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You!"

Back to the present:  Wow! These words echo throughout my mind..."DO NOT BE AFRAID NOR DISMAYED BECAUSE OF THIS GREAT MULTITUDE, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD'S!"

This can be applied to so many aspects of our lives right now on a personal as well as national and world level. Something to remember on those days when we feel overwhelmed and alone.  

"Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, Who IS WITH YOU!"  "DO NOT FEAR OR BE DISMAYED...THE LORD IS WITH YOU!"

Need I say more?