SO LET’S GET GOD INVOVED BEFORE WE CHOOSE OUR BATTLES

Faith Filled Thoughts
October 14th, 2008
By Connie Ciccone
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SO LET’S GET GOD INVOVED BEFORE WE CHOOSE OUR BATTLES



Scripture: Proverbs 26:17 "He that passes by and meddles with strife that does not belong to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears."

King Solomon spoke very wisely concerning the business of battles. He warned us about getting involved in situations that do not belong to us and described these actions as meddling. For sure, there are many challenges in life and battles will come to the best of us, but Solomon said that if we are not careful in our choices, we will end up being like someone who grabs a dog by the ears. In other words, when we meddle in the wrong battles, they bite back. Solomon's words reminded me of a small and fierce dog that our family used to have. He would have never harmed those to whom he belonged but I pity the stranger who would have tried to grab him by the ears. Even if they had been trying to help him, their good intentions would have been misunderstood and unappreciated.

So it is with life. Choosing the battles that we should get involved in is a difficult matter, for our actions can be misunderstood and unappreciated. So when conflicts present themselves, whether it is our battle or someone else's or whether it is a huge conflict or small skirmish, our first strategy should be to go to God for counsel. God is awesome and His knowledge and ways are much higher than ours. He showed us His wisdom and His mighty power in the battles that were fought in the scriptures. David was a small shepherd boy, but he went to battle against Goliath, the giant warrior. He chose this battle because Goliath was mocking God and defying the armies of Israel. When David's own brothers questioned him about his choice to fight, David answered them with the words, "Is there not a cause?" (I Samuel 17:29). David not only chose to defend the cause of God, but ran towards the battle that was set before him and killed the giant. Yet, there were other times when God specifically instructed men not to go against their enemy in battle. When the enemy came against Jehoshaphat, he sought the Lord, and the Lord told him that he didn't need to fight the battle, for the battle belonged to the Lord. God told Jehoshaphat to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord had a unique plan and instructed him to send worshippers into the battle instead of warriors. When the people began to sing and to praise the Lord, God sent an ambush against the enemy and they destroyed themselves (II Chronicles 20:22).

There are battles that we are destined to fight and many times we are called to fight them alone. Like David's situation, the cause may be greater than our own small world, but we can be assured that if God sends us into the battle, He will be our shield and defense. There will be other challenges that we are to simply praise our way through as God fights for us. God may say, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" or "pursue the enemy and take back you territory." Our battles may be conflicts in relationships, financial hardships, problems with our children, health issues, or spiritual matters. Regardless of the challenge, the battle belongs to the Lord, for the Apostle Paul said that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. We must understand that the devil is not an easy foe to reckon with, but God in His mercy has provided us with His own armor and spiritual weapons. God didn't tell David, who was known for his wonderful praise and worship, to go out singing before the giant and neither did He tell Jehoshaphat to go against the enemy with a few stones and a sling. Like these mighty warriors, our battles will be won while we are on our knees in prayer.

So let us get God involved when we are choosing our battles and make a determination that we will not meddle or grab just any dog by the ears."

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie