This week we continue in the study “Fighting Your Battles” by Jonathan Evans. After the last two weeks we learned about how the battles are real and the position of God in our battles. What we have to also grasp is that we have a role in our battles, and it is not necessarily to own and do everything.
Main Ideas
- There is a way to fight, and it’s not our way. Fighting God’s way means taking responsibility in the battle as God calls us, but realizing that the battle is really the Lord’s. He’s the owner of it; we’re the stewards.
- The spiritual realm is where earth’s battles are won. The spiritual realm has authority over the physical realm. Most of us want to fight in the physical and forget the spiritual, but when we’re fighting, we’re not fighting against flesh and blood. It’s a fight that’s much higher than we think. The call has to come from the top, and then it gets executed at the bottom.
- We have to be responsible with what we’re going through, but we can’t forget about prayer as we go through it. To pray at all times is important for the victory, because that’s how we connect to heaven from our position on earth. It’s how we let the Lord lead, acknowledging that we cannot win on our own. It’s how we make sure that we’re partnering with God, not replacing God.
- Though one of the hardest things about trusting God is waiting on Him for the victory, we don’t have to be afraid to wait. That’s where our strength is renewed. And what helps us wait, what helps us hold up the spiritual perspective and be good stewards of our responsibilities and commitments, is refusing to go it alone.
- Looking to the Lord in our battles is critical. Fighting His way is essential. But there is power in the community of believers too. The family of God is there to hold our hands up when the burden starts to get too heavy.
Application
We can’t handle the burden of battle alone. God is the owner; we are the stewards. So to fight His way means looking to heaven, relying on God to lead us to victory as we execute our assignments here on earth.
When we experience hard things, says Jonathan, what we want to do is “fight our way — anything we can do to relieve the pressure, anything we can do to make sure everything is better.” We use human logic to try to solve a divine peace or rest that Jesus promised.
What are some of the human solutions and pressure relievers that people often turn to in their battles in place of God?
There is a time and place for helpful resources, but we need to turn to heaven first, because as Jonathan discusses throughout this entire session, God is the owner of our battles,
What are the different functions between an owner and a steward (manager) when it comes to operating a successful business? How and when do they coordinate and partner together?
Now apply this to the battlefield. How do we keep from taking God’s position in our problems? How can we actively let Him own our battles without neglecting our “duties” as stewards?
We never know whether the Lord will ask us to partner with Him in the battle, as He did with Moses and Joshua in Exodus 17, or whether He will outright fight and win the victory for us, as He did for His people in 2 Chronicles 20. What remains true at all times, says Jonathan , is that we must look to Him and wait on Him.
On average, how often do you wait on God for strategies and instruction when you’re in the middle of a battle, rather than just forging ahead with your own plans?
How well would you say you wait on Him? Explain your answer. Do you have examples where it did not go so well? Or times when waiting on him resulted in surprising victories?
We often feel like waiting waiting weakens us, but God says otherwise:
Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. – Isaiah 40:31
In what ways does waiting actually strengthen us?
How could we develop our trust and our ability to wait when we’re away from the battle?
Closing Challenge
If time permits we will read through Psalm 37:1-9, which speaks of several common reactions to our enemies and possible responses toward God. Note which parts of this section of scripture accurately describes you at this point in your life…
1 Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.
2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.
9 For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.
Evans, Jonathan. Fighting Your Battles Workbook: Every Christian's Playbook for Victory. Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.