“Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.”Deuteronomy 3:2 NIV
God said these words to Moses, as he marched toward the promise land and the armies of King Og of Bashan marched out to greet them in battle. Why the need for reassurances? It is also written: King Og of Bashan was the last survivor of the giant Rephaites. His bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide. Deuteronomy 3:11 NLT
Moses and the armies of Israel were facing a giant! The armies of Bashan consisted of some men who were said to be over nine feet tall. Og was the last line of the pre-flood Nephilim. Goliath of Gath (who would later fall to the sling of King David) was said to be of the same line. That’s a reason for any army of normal men to be terrified, and fearful of annihilation!
But God says “I’ve already won the battle, you simply have to go fight it.”
Why must we fight? Think of a soldier in ancient times, going out to fight in battle. Would he simply take off his armor and lie down on the battlefield to suffer a certain death, or would he fight for his life?
This is God’s message to all of us who walk with him. We all have giants in our lives. These giants are things we struggle with, that easily tear us away from the hand of the Lord. These struggles, whether mental, physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, relational, or other are of this world.
Our lord Christ Jesus says: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33b NIV
God asks only that we seek him in these battles, the victory is always His. He not only delivers us, but fights right alongside us. He doesn’t send us out to battle alone. God desires all of us to be over-comers, and great finishers. He is willing to win the battle for us, before we even enter into it. We simply have to trust him, and then honor him by battling alongside of him.
Jesus says “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” Revelation 3:21 NIV
We can’t lose when we battle alongside “He who has never lost a battle!”
Barnabas
Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger – Barnabas
Excellent thoughts!
Amen! There will always be giants, but none that are greater than our God!
Well-stated and needed for us in these times.