“Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:” Psalms 144:1 KJV
“Nancy, I am sorry to tell you that the biopsy indicates cancer. I have made an appointment for you to meet with a surgeon next week.” It was not news I wanted anytime, but particularly not late on a Friday.
However, I appreciate that my primary care physician made the call personally. A long-standing healthcare provider for us, who had personally dealt with this news in his family, it meant a lot to get the news directly.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:…” So the thief had come, but I knew the Master had the final word: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
My body was under attack. War had been declared, but I knew the outcome: “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph!”
God Has A Plan
The Bible has the answer to anything that comes our way, including how to win any battle that comes. Deuteronomy 20 gives instructions to Israel as they begin their journey to the promised land. It starts:
“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Take note that it says: “when you go to war”, not if. Jesus said it this way: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
I do not know why we are taken by surprise when a fight comes to our doorstep, but we are. Yet, both Old and New Testaments clearly state that as long as we are in this fallen world, things will go wrong. So we may as well learn how to fight to win. This chapter lays it out clearly.
Five Musts
1. Know Your Enemy and Face The Facts Of The Situation
The first instruction for war is this: “…war against your enemies…”. It is vital to know who you are fighting and what their weapons and strategies are. St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians gives us the root:
AND
he gives us the means to deal at this unseen level “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds”
The first battle blow is at this root, in prayer, from a place of victory.
At the same time, an evaluation of the facts as they are known are necessary. This is the “seeing the horses and chariots and an army larger than your own...” part. You see, to be effective in any war, it must be fought on multiple fronts.
This includes facing the reality of the doctor’s report, the financial blow, the betrayal, the natural disaster, legal issue, etc. These are the things that you see, that wound, that take your breath away. That seeks to instill fear into the situation, as yes, you feel it.
2. Do Not Fear – Focus
We are wired to feel these things that come against us in the world. It’s the first way we are notified, through the five senses. The report, the letter or e-mail, the phone call, the conversation that initially makes one’s knees go weak. However, how we respond or react is critical.
So, we must recognize fear and deal with it properly. God commands us: “you shall not be afraid of them….”
Why?
“for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out…”
This surprise did not surprise God. He is actively with you in the situation. He has a plan, a good plan, a victorious plan. Listen to Him. This leads us to the next step
3. Speak Truth To The Battle
“When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.” According to Hebrews 3:1, Jesus is our High Priest and we are to fix our eyes on Him. He will lead and guide. Hear Him speak truth:
- Today you are going into battle against your enemies.
- Do not be fainthearted or afraid;
- do not panic or be terrified by them.
- For the Lord, your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Truth supersedes facts. Jesus prayed for us “to live in accordance with the truth; your word is truth”, thus we simply agree with Jesus by saying, speaking truth to the battle.
4. Hear
In the following verses of Deuteronomy 20 the Lord gives some additional instructions. However, there are several situations in scripture where the instructions in Deut 20 are applied.
- 2 Chronicles 20 – Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon
- Isaiah 37– King Hezekiah defeats Sennacherib
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The Book Of Joshua
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Judges 7 – Gideon and the Midianites
In each of these cases, you can see how God’s people applied these battle instructions and won. Yet, each battle was unique, so it was essential that they hear from the Lord, who knew the situ
ation and could provide specific instructions for that engagement.
5. Obey
Of course, once heard, the instructions must be followed. Joshua learned the hard way when they got sloppy in following what the Lord had instructed. We can be assured if God asks us to do something, He will make a way.
So began my personal application of these battle principles to the doctor’s report. This book will chronicle that journey.
Thanks for sharing this very encouraging post, filled with scripture to teach us to fight for a position of strength and victory. Praying for your strength too Nancy to fight this one.
Thank you for reading! Your sit-a while sessions have been and are a great source of healing to me as well. I am learning the value of stillness. Blessings!