Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. II Chronicles 32:7-8
Suggested Scripture reading – II Chronicles 32:1-22
Hezekiah had a pressing problem. Sennacherib, the general of the Assyrian army, was threatening to destroy the city of Jerusalem. He had already destroyed Israel, the Northern kingdom, and many of the walled citied surrounding Jerusalem. He approached the walls of Jerusalem every day to taunt the people and to mock the God of Heaven. Hezekiah had already done all he could to defend and protect the people. Now, in our text, he was encouraging his people to trust the true God of Heaven for protection.
When Bobby first became a Christian he discovered that the battles Satan waged against him were mostly from the outside. His old friends tempted him to return to the sins of his old life. Now, however, he had grown in the Lord. As he matured in Christ a strange phenomenon occurred. The temptations of the world were not as strong as they had been when he was a new believer. Now the most intense battles came from within his mind and heart. Doubts as to the goodness and faithfulness of God seemed to plague him daily. Did the Bible really hold the truth of God? Why was it so hard to remain faithful in Scripture reading and praying? What was the use of praying anyway? Bobby was shocked at how hard it had become to just remain true to the Savior. Satan had laid siege to his heart and soul just as Assyria had done to Jerusalem. It was a fierce battle to remain true to the Father. He felt that he was loosing the battles more often than he won them. As he was reading this passage in II Chronicles one day he noticed these words of Hezekiah to the people in their difficult day of battle. “There are more with us then with him. [the enemy] With him is the arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord, our God, to help us, and to fight our battles.” Bobby saw for the first time that Satan had him out classed. He would never out last Satan’s attacks. He was sure to fall. God, however, was there to help him. Bobby learned to lean on God for protection. He put on the shield of faith and was able to ward off the fiery darts of the evil one. When he made this discovery he was excited to realize the battle in his soul belonged to the Lord. God would never allow him to be tempted above his ability to resist (I Corinthians 10:13) The Father had provided the armor of God for him (Ephesians 6:13-17) and promised him ultimate victory over his attacker. (I Corinthians 15:57) Why should he fear the attacks of Satan since,
“With us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles”
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
http://bible.us/1/eph.6.10-11.kjv
http://bible.us/1/eph.6.10-11.kjv
