These Are God's Battles

During the time of King Jehoshaphat (approximately 860 B.C.), several armies began to invade the land of Judah. Being greatly outnumbered, Jehoshaphat called for a nation-wide time of fasting and prayer to seek guidance from God: "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You" (2 Chronicles 20:12).

The king needed to formulate a plan. He was the appointed leader and responsible for the safety of his people. King Jehoshaphat's "plan" was to place the fate of the entire nation into the hands of God. Many see such action as weakness, but it took great strength to recognize he was powerless - even greater strength to know where to turn and Whom to trust!

God answered King Jehoshaphat's cry for help through a Levite named Jahaziel.

2 Chronicles 20:14-15
"Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel...'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."'"

Knowing that our battles belong to God is great comfort when we face trials which appear much bigger than anything we can handle. But there is more to the story! God didn't tell Jehoshaphat to just sit in his tent while the battle was won. Rather, He gave specific instructions to confidently stand before the enemy.

2 Chronicles 20:16-17
"Tomorrow march down against them...{But} you will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."

It's inevitable that our life will contain such battles - many are facing overwhelming battles right now. And as with everything we encounter on our Christian walk, battles have a purpose. Many times the purpose of our battle is to understand a fundamental truth: "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Reaching the end of our own strength is the real battle; turning to God and trusting Him for every step of our walk is the real victory!

As we trust Him with all our heart and seek counsel in His presence, He will tell us where to march and where to stand. Let's boldly follow our Lord each and every day and refuse to become discouraged. He is in absolute control...for these ARE God's battles!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

I wanted to write to Steve to thank him for the last post; Don't Give Up. It is about his daughter Stacy. I have been receiving GDW for some time now and they have been very encouraging. Today when I read his "confession" I could not believe what I was reading. You see, I am going through the same thing with my youngest daughter. Actually, I went through it with two of my three daughters. But the middle on is in prison now, finding her way to the Lord and growing by leaps and bounds. This is her third time in Prison and I guess the first two were jailhouse converts. But this time I sense something very different in what she is saying and I know God is reaching her there and she is open and learning/leaning on Him.
But my youngest daughter, while she has been to jail a few times, has never been to prison. She is out and addicted to drugs, alcohol and sex. The very sad about her is that she wants out. She has cried out to God on several occasions and feels rejected because "it doesn't seem to work for her." She said that she believes. She says that she knows it happens for other people. She says that she wants it so badly; that she has said the things she has been told to say, done the things she has been told to do but feels nothing. There is an emptyness there for her and a fark rejection.
I just want to say that it takes courage for Steve to post his trials, but that it is not in vain. I can't tell you how encouraged I felt to know that someone like him is suffering similar heartbreaks with his beautiful daughter; so similar to mine. I haven't read any of Stacys things yet, but I plan to and I will ask Jessica to read them as well. I know this is part of Gods plan for her healing.
For Steve, I can only share the word I received from the Lord: He said, "Why are you gerding yourself up as for battle? Why are you afraid of what the enemy will do to you for standing for your daughter? Why are you expecting suffering as a price for the warfare you plan to do? The battle is not yours, it is mine, and I have ALREADY won it. It is not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit. The only thing I require of you is to stand firm when the enemy tells you to give up on her, that she will never change; that she is not one of God's chosen ones. He said that every time the enemy comes at me with those thoughts, I am to say, "I will not give her up. You can't have her. You will never have her".
Well, I just wanted to share this with you to try to encourage you. Stacy and Jessica are already completely healed, delivered and everything God intended them to be according to Jer. 29:11. Lets not look at the outwardly situations. Lets look on God's word and believe it. Somewhere in Gods plan this is done.

God Bless,

lena

Keep on keeping on!! Your work is used of God far, far beyond your wildest dreams Steve! Your daughter I am sure is loved, not only by you and our Lord but by all who gain substance from your daily word. I have used your messages and other ideas of yours to encourage others through letters to hundreds of men and juveniles inside prisons who had no hope. Jejoice that you daughter is still with you whether it be by your side or locked away to protect her from herself, until God is ready to deliver her from dependency. My Daughter was taken from me at age 20 leaving me with a 15 month old little girl to raise. That little girls is now 21 herself and busy about life. Re-read Hebrews 13 and James 1 and may our Lord continue to strengthen you for the work HE HAS SO GRACIOUSELY GIVEN unto you my beloved brother. You are in my prayers . . and so is She!
Love
Patrick Haley

Praise Jesus I totally agree with Patrick Haley regarding what Steve Troxel is going through. I have noticed that when a Servant of God begins a ministry the enemy picks on the family and gets one person who becomes a thorn in the flesh like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12 I encourage Steve to read this chapter for it is not Stacey who is the problem but Satan the enemy who uses his tricks.

However in all this God's grace is sufficient for us and his power is made perfect in our weakness.

God bless you all.