“The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground.” Warren W. Wiersbe
Battles. We all face them at various times in our life. We wage internal wars against addictions, the lies we believe, and lack of self-control with our words, actions, and emotions. We fight external struggles as well: physical, financial, vocational, and relational. If we are not currently combating a war within or without, give it enough time and we eventually will. What do we do when we face impossible situations and what are some strategies for winning at warfare? I discovered seven principles on how to conquer our enemies in II Chronicles 14:11. The Cushites were about to attack the Israelites and this is the prayer of Asa, the King of Judah. “Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, ‘LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.'” I prayed this prayer in 1997 after we moved into our present house while our previous house had not yet sold. “Then Asa called to the Lord his God.” King Asa’s first step to fight this battle was to call out to God. Asa initially sought God. He didn’t try to fight the battle on his own, nor did he do what I’m tempted to do: run to my family and friends for assistance. Instead, King Asa initiated a conversation with God. Jehovah was Asa’s first choice for help. The first words out of Asa’s mouth were: “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty.” The King knew there was only one Jehovah God and no other gods were like Him. Asa admitted their weakness, acknowledged God specialized in rescue missions, and reminded God of His past track record, helping the powerless against the mighty. The second step in fighting battles is to let God know there’s no one like Him. King Asa humbled himself before God and said, “Help us, O LORD our God.” The famous Beattle’s song lyrics, “Help, I need somebody” and “not just anybody,” can be sung here. There is only one God who can help us in our time of need. Before a battle is to be fought, the third step we need to take is to humble ourselves and ask God for help. The fourth principle in how to conquer our enemy is to declare our dependence upon God. King Asa did this when he told God, “for we rely on you.” Rely means to: “depend, trust, count on and to place faith or confidence in.” God welcomes situations when we’re backed up into a corner and have nowhere else to go, but to Him. The Lord understands our faith grows when we trust Him and when we rely on Him, our intimacy deepens. Don’t wait. Begin to follow these four steps to win the battles you face. Call out to God. Let God know there’s no one like Him. Humble yourself and ask God for help. And declare your dependence upon God. Start using these strategies and watch God win!
“Prayer is that mightiest of all weapons that created natures can wield.” Martin Luther
Relevant Reflection: 1. Apply the first four strategies to combat your enemy and to win the battle you’re fighting.
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