God is Fighting for Us

The Israelites had been under the oppression of the Midianites for seven years when God instructed Gideon to go and deliver Israel from the hands of Midian. But when the time came for Gideon and the army of Israel to go up against Midian, God told Gideon that his numbers were too great to go to battle against the Midianites because, when they were victorious, the Israelites would boast that they had overcome through their own strength. So God ordered Gideon to tell the Israelites that any who were afraid should depart. When Gideon did so, 22,000 left, leaving 10,000. But God then said that the 10,000 were still too many and instructed Gideon to bring them to the water to drink. Gideon was told to send home those who cupped their hands to drink and keep those who lapped the water like a dog. Gideon then had 300 men left to face not just the Midianites, but the Amalekites, and all the sons of the east. The result? God confused the oppressors of the Israelites. They were routed and peace reigned for 40 years. (Judges 6 and 7) Gideon and the Israelites had victory because God was fighting for them.

As believers today, we have an enemy who prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to oppress us, seeking to destroy our peace and fill our hearts with doubt and with fear (1 Peter 5:8). He will use whatever means he can to take us down and to pull us away from our faith in the one true God. The forces of evil will come against us and, at times, it may seem that, just as Gideon and his 300 men were greatly outnumbered, so are we. But, just as God came through for Gideon and Israel, He will come through for us. The fight that we fight against this enemy is a spiritual battle. God has given us the defensive and offensive equipment that we need to fight this battle. He has provided us with His full armor, the belt of truth, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is His Word (Ephesians 6:13-17). With these things in place, we are well equipped to fight the spiritual battles in our lives. But perhaps the most important thing we have to help us in these battles is the knowledge that we have God on our side.

God fights for us. When we are in the midst of a spiritual battle, we need to remember this. We need to remember the words of 2 Chronicles 20:15, the words of God spoken through a Levite named Jahaziel: “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” The battle is God’s because He fights for His people, for those who put their faith and trust in Him. With God on our side, there is nothing we need to fear because when we have God fighting for us, there is nothing and no one who can stand against us (Romans 8:31). God is our refuge, and when we have God in our lives, no evil will conquer us. He is there to help us and will even order His angels to protect us (Psalm 91:9-11). So, in the midst of a spiritual battle, suit up with God’s armor and remember that He is right there with you to give you victory over the enemy who seeks to oppress you.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.