NONE
 P.S. You Don't Have to Fight This One
By Celina Worley
Under thick, dark skies, the image of a young man cradled in earth comes into focus. Obviously he's in a fierce, undecided battle—he's fighting for his life. He looks like he's gasping for air, shocked to find he still has a pulse. Is this it? In both hands he is grasping his hope—a Bible.
How odd. A real soldier, in a real battle, with a Bible in his hands? Where are the hand grenades and semi-automatic weapons? It must have seemed equally out of place when the enemy heard praise songs drifting through the gorge. Another battle, in a far and distant time, was about to take place.
A few moments in II Chronicles 20 will get you up to speed. The inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem were going to be attacked not just by one, but by three enemies. Time to sharpen your spears, right? Nope. The country's president (King Jehoshaphat) declared a fast. No food, no water, just prayer. A lot of prayer. Finally, they get an answer. It's bold. You'll find it in verse 17: “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.”
King Jehoshaphat doesn't miss a beat. Everyone quits fasting and the army assembles. Then the king organizes an all-male choir to “sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of His holiness” as they go out to battle. The verse they sang over and over went like this, “Give thanks to the Lord for His love endures forever” (verse 21). In other words, they were singing “Thank-you God” long before they knew the actual outcome.
The idea of a real soldier in a real battle clutching a Bible somehow seems less odd right now. So does the idea of us real humans—in our real struggles against anger, lust, pride, helplessness and apathy—grasping onto God. Listen, you don't have to fight this one. God commands victory: “Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” And by the way, “Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged.”
Whatever trench you're crouched in, the conclusion of II Chronicles 20's story is your conclusion too, “God gave rest on every side” (verse 30).
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