DEFEATING ENEMIES

My last article looked at our attitude toward God while we are dealing with enemies and waiting for Him to give us the victory. Today, we see the offspring of Israel at war in 1 Chronicles 5:18-22. They were ready and it was time to engage the enemy in battle. They knew how to handle their weapons (see Ephs. 6:10-18 for our New Testament equivalent). Particular mention is made of the shield (shield of faith, Ephs 6:16) and the sword (sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephs 6:17).

Even though they were able-bodied, knew how to use their weapons, and were "trained for battle," they still needed God's help!

They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Harites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.

They won a decisive victory "because the battle was God's" (vs. 22). What moved God to help them? They trusted in Him and, more than that, they cried out to Him during the battle. The root of the Hebrew word cried means to shriek, as from anguish or danger. It is also a corporate word. They did this together. So two things are seen here: those who were doing battle were united in their cause and they were loudly and fervently calling on their God.

Most of us in western society tend to shrink back from such loud public displays. I know I do. Once I heard this after praying one of my nice southern lady prayers: "One-dimensional praying will not get the enemy off your back." Ouch! It's time to get out of my comfort zone. How about you?