The Lord Fought for Israel #2491

13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. 14 And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. 15 Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal (Joshua 10:13–15, NKJV).

I am writing this on the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice. This natural event reminds us of a day that was not natural but miraculous when the sun stood still. That day of battle between Israel and the Amorites dramatically displayed the presence, power, and purpose of Jehovah. God fought for Israel that day against five kings and “routed them before Israel” (Josh. 10:10). The Lord also “cast down large hailstones from heaven” against the enemies of His people (Josh. 10:11). As Israel fought, God assured the victory. We look to God for the “power of His might” to overwhelm the strength of Satan, sin, and death (Eph. 6:10; 1 John 3:8; 1 Cor. 15:56-57). He will “never leave you nor forsake you” in your trials and spiritual conflicts against the enemies of righteousness (Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:35-39). But we must fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12; Eph. 6:11-17). God, who controls the seasons also fights for His people. He does so, not by miraculously stopping the sun again, but by the daily brilliance of His love, providence, and truth. So, let us put our faith in Him and be victorious (1 John 5:4).

Be Strong in the Lord #2126

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10–13, NKJV)

We need the Lord’s strength to “stand against the wiles of the devil.” We are in a battle over our souls. This fight calls for faith in the Lord’s power instead of ourselves as we struggle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” And so, let us equip ourselves with “the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13-18). The Lord’s armor is tried and true, powerful to defeat our foe. But beware. Our adversary, the devil, will try to use our sense of self-reliance against us, tempting us to believe we can overcome the devil on our own. Do not attempt to go into this battle alone. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him” (Psa. 28:7).

Open Our Eyes that We May See #1760

16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16–17, NKJV)

The Syrian army had surrounded Dothan, a town in central Manasseh of the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet Elisha was there, and had been thwarting the Syrian battle plans (2 Kgs. 6:8-13). Now, thinking to seize the prophet, king Benhadad dispatched his horses, chariots, and army. Things looked bleak. Elisha’s servant was terrified, but Elisha’s faith and God’s answer to prayer assured his servant in time of distress. The unseen forces of Jehovah were present, and He would win the day (2 Kgs. 6:18-23). Dear Christian, as you face the adversary’s efforts to distract, discourage, and defeat you, remember Elisha’s words as they echo through the ages, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Open your eyes of faith and see the army of God. We are more than conquerors through Christ, who lovingly gave Himself for us, and who ever lives to intercede for us (Rom. 8:34-39). Faithfully withstand the enemy in the evil day, clothed with the armor of God and strong in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10-13, 14-18).

Perilous Times #1745

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1–5, NKJV)

The apostle warned of perilous times (seasons of particular fierceness) against godliness and righteousness. These stressful times are identifiable by the character and conduct of harsh, ferocious, even savage people, who cast off the moral restraints of divine truth. There can be little debate that we live in such a time. Love for God and for one’s fellow man is easily abandoned for selfish indulgence. Brutality is minimized, and at times protected as legitimate expressions of free speech, even as voices of faith and reason are silenced by intimidation, threats, and violence. What are the righteous to do? Paul did not tell Timothy to compromise with such people, he told him to avoid them! Do not join them in their appearances of godliness. Rather than trusting the arm of flesh, we must rely on the power of God during such “evil days” by redeeming our time and putting on the whole armor of God (Eph. 5:16; 6:13-17). With patient endurance, we will stand solidly in the power of God’s truth, and share in the victory of faith (1 Jno. 5:4).

“Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men” #993

1  Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men, 2  Who plan evil things in their hearts; They continually gather together for war. 3  They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah (Psalm 140:1–3, NKJV)

David saw Jehovah as the One who would equip him against his enemies, preserving him in battle against evil, violent people. Those who attacked David in war also waged a propaganda war against him. Their lips were full of poison, directed toward his character and his God (remember the words of Goliath, 1 Sam. 17:26, 42-44). Christians are in a battle against spiritual forces that requires unyielding faith in the strength of the Lord to deliver us unto triumph against the adversaries of righteousness (Eph. 6:10-13). God’s deliverance from our enemies begins by us having the faith to put on His armor and fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). Our life in Christ is not a bed of ease; it is the battlefield of faith. Take up the banner of the cross and live in its shadow. Trust and obey the word of the cross. Therein is full assurance that the Lord will deliver you from evil people, and preserve you for His heavenly kingdom (1 Cor. 1:18-21; 2 Tim. 4:17-18). “Selah” – Pause, ponder and profess with gratitude the greatness of our God, who delivers us from every adversary!