“This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle isn’t yours, but God’s’” (2Chron. 20:15).
Lord Jesus, teach us what this means—that our battles belong to you. Whatever else it means, we are grateful you won the ultimate war being waged for our very destiny. By your life, death, resurrection… two flags now fly over us—our white flag of surrender to the Gospel, and your banner of love flapping in the winds of grace (Song of Songs 2:4)—Hallelujah!
But on a very practical basis, what does it mean to relinquish our dust ups, conflicts, fights, and battles to you? Naivete, passivity, and denial are off the table. So, what is on the table of spiritual warfare? Help us trust you when the devil roars seeking to devour us (1Pet.5:8), when our own sinful desires wage war against our souls (1Pet.2:11). Bring us back to Gospel-sanity when we wrongly believe “flesh and blood” (people) are our biggest enemies, not the “spiritual forces of evil” (Eph.6:12).
Jesus, first and foremost you are the whole “armor of God” (Eph.6:10-18)—our “righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1Cor.1:30). Our “in-Christ-ness” is our greatest source of peace, guarantee of victory, and sure hope before the Day of all things new. And our daily communion with you—our life of fellowship, prayer, and intimacy with you gives us wisdom, strength, and joy like nothing else. There is no substitute for a life of active dependence on you and robust delight in you.
And today we especially thank you for the “grace–cavalry” you’ve given us—our Gospel-friends who fight for our hearts, pray for us by the Spirit, bear our burdens, and are committed to travel all the way Home with us. Thank you Jesus, and So Very Amen.