“Do Not Be Afraid; Do Not Be Discouraged… Stand Firm… The LORD Will Be With You!”

“Do Not Be Afraid; Do Not Be Discouraged… Stand Firm… The LORD Will Be With You!”
As we advance in age and mature in reflection, we become fully aware that most of the struggles, plans, schemes, and strategies that we engaged in were not worth the effort and strain. The energies we put up for things that we thought mattered were wasted energies. Those things really did not matter, and still do not matter.
We note from the full armor of God in Ephesians that the majority of the armors are for defense, and only the sword is directly for attack.
The Very Rev. Dr. Asana said he defeated his enemies, not by giving a single blow but by tiring them out as he dodged all their blows.
This is especially true of those who trust in the LORD. When the Moabites and the Amonites came to make war on King Jehoshaphat, the word of the LORD came to Jahaziel to tell king Jehoshaphat and all Judah, “This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them… You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you… Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will fight with you…’“.
“Do not be afraid” is an important phrase that runs through the Bible. In this brief prophetic words of Jahaziel, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,” comes twice.
The king was asked to march down against the enemy. They were asked to take up their positions and stand firm. But they were also told, “The battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not have to fight this battle… the LORD will fight for you.” Why did God not just crush the enemy without Judah marching down to meet them in a battlefield? The answer is simple: God wants us to go through the process while he does it for us. He makes ninety-nine steps to get to us but wants us to take the remaining step to receive what he has for us.
My friend, whatever it is that stresses you and is like a milestone around your neck is only a heavy load in so far as you are carrying it alone. God wants you in the boxing ring, but he is the one who will fight for you as he conditions you to dodge all the blows of your opponent until the enemy is worn out.
Therefore, whatever it is “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged… The battle is not yours, but God’s… Stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…”
Prayer of the day and week: Holy Spirit, prompt us daily to leave our battles to the LORD who fights for us. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed working day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.