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September 23 Battle Victory

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. ~Proverbs 21:30-31


Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed. He answers him from His Holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. ~Psalm 20:6-8

Do you remember these proverbs from past discussions? “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” “The Lord works out everything for His own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster.” God is certainly in the planning business. He is involved with our plans, especially in how they become enmeshed with His. When we commit our plans to Him, He loves to help, but when our plans are to work against Him, they will not succeed in the long run.

Perhaps it would work to see God’s plans like the current in a river. Just as water naturally flows downstream, carrying everything in the current along with it, so are God’s plans. They will move forward. Nothing can stop that progress. When we trust in the Lord, and commit our ways and our plans to His, we are saying that we want to move in His flow. If we are in agreement with Him, we will get there eventually, and sometimes, even more quickly than expected.

The one who wishes to challenge that flow, trusting in their own ability, strength, or endurance, will not succeed in the end. We have a hard time remembering this. They look so big, so strong, so self-assured. Then there’s that thought, maybe this one will succeed even though others have not. The proverb says: “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” In truth, how can they? If God truly is God, if He is their creator and they have a beginning and end while He is eternal, eventually, no matter how powerful they seem, plans against God’s Will will fail because they have to, if God is God.

Sometimes I do wonder if one of the reasons that evil is so strong is because the church is asleep at the wheel. Here we are, in the flow of His will, with those who oppose Him struggling against the current all around us. Aren’t they getting tired? Yet, I think God is asking His bride, “How much evil will you put up with all around you before you do something? You have the upper hand! You have my power! Why don’t you act on it and stop the evil from trying to prevail? Wake up! Don’t be comfortable! It’s not time for sleep! Could you not struggle alongside me for one hour?”

I think that much of the Western church is distracted by being comfortable, complacent and wishing for the return of a “glorious” past that they remember with rose tinted glasses. They are not facing forward with their armor on, ready to take on those who oppose God. We already know the enemies of God won’t succeed. They may have strong horses and armies, but we have God and His power and the victory belongs to Him!

Oh, wake up church, wake up! There’s just a march, and a battle and then, there is God’s victory to celebrate with Him forever! Oh, believe it and take your place in the fight. There is time for comfort, for sleep, later, but now, let us march on to victory, for God and for His glory!

Prayer: Father, I rise up! I commit to Your way. I will flow with Your will and fight the good fight. I will stand in the armor of God, and come what may, I will stand with you. I know the victory is Yours! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Song: The Battle Belongs to the Lord 



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