The Big Battle
By John David Hicks
I am in a big battle spiritually and I want a big victory. The Lord said to me: “Big Battles are won by first having little skirmishes. They will add up to the victory you are seeking.” Life is about winning the little skirmishes. God told Joshua how he would take the Promised Land: “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land” (Ex. 23:30). As you win the little skirmishes, you will become a stronger Christian warrior. It’s the little victories that build you up and creates the momentum to win an even bigger battle. But you’ve got to be willing to fight your little skirmishes in prayer. The command from headquarters is to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
David gives us the secret to his victories in battle: “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chron. 16:11). In his battle with the Philistines and the giant Goliath, David cries out, “the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Sam. 17:47). It is not the biggest, the brightest, or the best that will win the battle. It is those who in prayer put their trust in God.
King Jehoshaphat faced five armies in battle. He prayed, “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” (2 Chron. 20:12).
You need to hear what God said to King Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord…” (2 Chron. 20:15, 17).
In the battle, we feel that it all depends on us. We can’t just sit around and do nothing—we’ve got to try to save the situation. But God wants you to see that the “battle is the Lord’s;” he will not leave you nor forsake you.
So what should you do in your battle? Jehoshaphat sent his singers to the front of the army to proclaim, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever” (2 Chron. 20:21). Thank God for his faithfulness, don’t fret, and do what the situation requires.
Like Jehoshaphat when your prayer turns to praise you have prayed through. “His mercy endures forever.” They had to re-name the battlefield, into the Valley of Berachah. Berachah means “blessings.” WHY CHANGE THE NAME? “There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it” (2 Chron. 20:25–26). God turned their battle into a great blessing!
Do you have a battle to fight? Start with the skirmish. Then stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!