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The Lord Fights for Me
Andrea Lende • July 5, 2021
Deuteronomy 20:2-4
The Lord Fights for Me
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/The-Lord-Fights-for-Me-e13vvmb
Deuteronomy 20:2-4
“And when you come near to the battle, the priest shall approach and speak to the men,”
“And shall say to them, Hear, O Israel, you draw near this day to battle against your enemies. Let not your [minds and] hearts faint; fear not, and do not tremble or be terrified [and in dread] because of them.”
“For the Lord your God is He Who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to save you.”
I have had occasion to be fearful in the last couple weeks.
But as I read this passage today, my spirit was strengthened.
Moses told the Israelites to go toward their enemies even if their enemies were more powerful than they were.
He told them to face the enemy and not retreat.
Similarly, I am to face my adversaries even if they seem more able and more powerful.
Moses told them to not dread their enemy which seems almost impossible for me.
I am far too easily intimidated when I deal with someone who is obviously stronger, or smarter, or seemingly better than me.
I allow my emotions to get the best of me and become afraid.
Moses told the Israelites the Lord goes with them into battle.
He said God fights against their enemies to save them.
And if the Lord would fight for them, then He will fight for me too.
He will not allow me to be harmed.
He is more powerful than any adversary who comes against me.
Our passage is such a great reminder about God’s careful watch over me.
I recall instances where He has come to my aid in the past.
And if I simply focus on His past help, I can be confident in current and future battles.
There is no one stronger, smarter, or better who can succeed in their endeavors against me when the Lord is fighting for me.
Today I choose to be confident in the Lord even when my confidence is shaken.
May you find the Lord is going ahead of you to fight every battle you face, so you may live in confidence and boldness in every situation and circumstance.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me You are with me. Thank You for reminding me You go ahead of me to fight for me. Thank You for reminding me to face the enemy with boldness and confidence. Thank You for reminding me that no matter how strong the enemy looks You are stronger. You are Almighty God and will let nothing harm me. Increase my faith, Lord. Help me stay in peace when everything seems overwhelming. Help me see You working in all the places I feel afraid. May Your favor be upon me, Lord. Help me walk into all situations with confidence in You and Your ability to do mightily on my behalf. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: Fear not My child, for I go before you and fight for you in all situations and circumstances.
Response: Thank You, Almighty God and Father.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.