Humans love to win! Children are participating in athletics at younger and younger ages. Parents cheer. Children swing. Teams win! Cheers even tout, "V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!"
Soldiers march on foreign turf in anticipation of a victory. Would they enter the military, hoping that they would be defeated at each stop of their tours? Never. Soldiers seek the victory.
Life victories are especially satisfying when won with the knowledge that God has performed the impossible. Granted, God might help Junior hit his first home run, but I am referring to victories otherwise unattainable by mortal man without God’s involvement. Broken marriages restored. Childless couples blessed with a bundle of joy. Cancer patients’ health reinstated. Addicts abolish addictions.
As we read in 2 Chronicles 20:25, Jehoshaphat and his people struck it rich. Their defeated enemies were not paupers. Riches, valuables, and jewelry awaited collection by the Israelites. God not only won the battle, He provided for future needs that they might confront. It took them over three days of gathering and collecting to contain all of the provisions that God had given to them. A battle that loomed large evolved into a bevy of blessings.
Take a moment to reflect on life battles. When we meticulously examine some of the most difficult battles we have faced, often times they have brought forth amazing, life changing results. Life changing results are far better riches than gold or silver. If a battle molds us into men and women more reflective of God’s image, it has been a battle worth fighting. If an ominous battle has drawn our souls into a relationship with Jesus Christ, the ultimate victory has been attained.
2 Chronicles 20:26-28 details to the reader that after the victory was won, Jehoshaphat and the Israelites continued to be joyful, praise, sing, and bless the name of the Lord. They had witnessed, firsthand, that the weapons of warfare are not missiles or swords or guns, but are the spiritual weaponry God provides.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Most battles begin in our minds. We must take ominous life battles and immediately defeat them in our minds. Jehoshaphat allowed himself to fear his enemies for but a moment. Then he charged forward using the spiritual weapons of warfare.
After defeating their enemies with God as the Commander-in-Chief, Jehoshaphat and his people were at rest. The power and fear of Almighty God spread throughout the kingdoms. No one wanted to mess around with God’s children. To think, if we can pass our life tests, one by one, then we will be no different than the Israelites. God will give us rest from our enemies. Other enemies will slink into the corner as they witness our overwhelming power through Almighty God. Divorces will dissolve into decades of marital bliss. Addicts will abolish addictions and achieve. Cancer cells will dissipate and dissolve. And we will have the victory!
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (I John 5:4)
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