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God's Strategy When Fighting a Battle



“Your battle is to keep still – while God does the battle.” 

Ann Voskamp 


Fight or flight are typical responses when faced with trauma. We either put on our boxing gloves to fight against our enemy or choose to flee the awful situation. But through Moses, God instructed the Israelites in Exodus 14:13-14 to not use either of those forms of protection when fleeing Egypt. Those same directives are God’s strategy for us when fighting a battle today.

 

The Israelites were camped near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the Red Sea when Pharaoh and his army pursued them. Listen to Moses’ instructions about God’s game plan when they were up against their enemy. “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.’”

 

God’s steps appear simple, but they’re easier said than done. The first one is to not be afraid. Fear is a natural reaction when faced with an enemy. I am more afraid when I put my full trust in myself. Placing my trust in God’s hands brings me peace.

 

Secondly, the dictate is to stand firm. In other words, hold on to the Rock and whatever you do, don’t let go of Him. The result is that we will see God’s deliverance. It’s not if but when. This is God’s promise to us when faced with a battle. Our rescue is not from our own hands, control, or strength, but from God’s. We need to have faith and believe that God can and will do this for us. Just like the Israelites, we hope we will never see those enemies again. 


Stillness is God’s final requirement for fighting a battle. This is not only the hardest to do, but the most critical component for salvation from our enemy. Moses told the Israelites they didn’t have to do anything but “only to be still.” Likewise, we’re also instructed not to respond by fighting or fleeing, but to choose stillness instead. God doesn’t want us to take charge with action, but to stand still in faith. Stillness is our superpower against our enemy because stillness demonstrates our trust in God to come through for us and trust leads to greater intimacy. 


The next time you are faced with a battle, remember God’s strategy. Don’t be afraid, stand firm holding onto God, believe God will fight on your behalf, and display trust by being still. 


“Your battle is to still – and, no matter what, to trust God still.” 

Ann Voskamp

 

Relevant Reflection: 

Which of these steps is God highlighting to apply the next time you have a battle? 


Image by Anil Sharma from Pixabay

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