THE GOD WHO FIGHTS YOUR BATTLES

The God we serve is not only loving and compassionate but also a mighty warrior who fights for His people, ensuring their victory over every enemy and opposition. His power and faithfulness are evident throughout the Scriptures, as He steps into battles that are beyond human capability to handle. The name Jehovah-Nissi, meaning "The Lord is My Banner," was proclaimed by Moses in Exodus 17:15 after a significant victory over the Amalekites. This name reveals a profound truth about God: He is the God of Battles, who fights for His people, leads them to victory, and ensures that His power and presence are always available in times of conflict.

Therefore, God's assurance to His people is clear: when they walk in obedience and trust in Him, He fights their battles. Exodus 23:22 declares, "But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries." This promise is a divine covenant that God stands against those who oppose His children. In Deuteronomy 20:4, we see this reiterated:

"For the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." No matter how overwhelming the opposition may seem, when God fights for you, victory is certain.

God's intervention in battles: examples from scripture

• The Amalekites vs. Israel (Exodus 17:8-16):

When Israel was attacked by Amalek, Moses, Aaron, and Hur turned to God. As Moses lifted his hands in prayer and reliance on God, the Israelites prevailed. This highlights the power of dependence on God in battle.

• Jehoshaphat's Victory (2 Chronicles 20:1-23):

Jehoshaphat faced a vast coalition of armies. Instead of panicking, he called for prayer and fasting. God responded, saying, "The battle is not yours, but God’s" (2 Chr 20:15). The Israelites won the battle without lifting a sword, as their enemies turned on one another.These examples teach us that God is the decisive factor in any conflict. When He intervenes, no enemy can stand.

God is your refuge and strength

When enemies attack your life, health, family, business, or ministry, you have a dependable refuge in God. Psalm 46:1 reminds us: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." This means you are never alone in the battle. God’s presence is immediate and active, shielding you and turning situations in your favor.

The weapons of your warfare are spiritual

The battles we face today are often spiritual, fought in the unseen realm. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." No one can win the battle of life alone without God, except we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and possess the fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22-23) to enable the God of battle fight for us.

As the God of Battles, the Lord equips His people with spiritual armor:

• The belt of truth,

• The breastplate of righteousness,

• The shield of faith,

• The sword of the Spirit (the Word of God),

ensuring they are fully prepared for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:13-18).

However as believers, our battles are not fought with physical weapons but through spiritual means. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." Prayer, the Word of God, faith, and praise are powerful weapons that dismantle spiritual opposition and fortresses. Through these, God fights on your behalf, bringing down every barrier the enemy erects.

God's presence makes you unstoppable

The story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6:16-17 is a remarkable example of God’s unseen protection. When surrounded by enemy armies, Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, revealing a heavenly army of fiery chariots surrounding them. Elisha boldly declared:

"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."This echoes the truth in Romans 8:31: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" When God fights for you, His overwhelming power makes every opposition insignificant. Moreover, the God of Battles does not send His people to fight alone. He goes before them and fights with them. In Deuteronomy 31:8, Moses reassures Israel: "And the Lord, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."

When God is present, His power and authority turn impossible odds into certain victories. This is echoed in 2 Chronicles 20:15, where God declares to Jehoshaphat: "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s."

God's promise of victory

God assures His people that no weapon formed against them will prosper. In Isaiah 54:17, He declares: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn."

Even when enemies gather to plot against you, as stated in Isaiah 54:15, their plans will fail because God is with you. The God of Battles does not merely promise to fight for His people—He assures them of victory. Romans 8:37 declares: "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." This assurance stems from God’s unchanging character and His covenant with His people. Throughout Scripture, God’s way of fighting battles often defies human logic. He calls His people to trust Him and obey His instructions rather than rely on their strength or weapons. Here are examples that illustrate His wisdom as the God of Battles:

• Joshua and the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6):

God commanded Israel to march around the city in silence and blow trumpets on the seventh day. This unconventional strategy demonstrated that the victory belonged to God, not human effort.

• Gideon and the Midianites (Judges 7):

Gideon’s army of 32,000 was reduced to 300 men. With torches and trumpets, they routed a massive enemy force, showing that God's power, not numbers, wins battles. Fear not: god is with you.

Fear often paralyzes us in the face of challenges, but God commands us to be strong and courageous. In Deuteronomy 31:6, He says: "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Jeremiah 1:8 reinforces this, reminding us that God is our deliverer. His presence guarantees victory.

God scatters your enemies

When God fights for you, He not only defeats your enemies but utterly scatters them. "The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways" (Deuteronomy 28:7). Psalm 89:23 adds, "I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague those who hate him." This demonstrates the overwhelming power of God to not just protect but to destroy opposition. No matter the strength or ferocity of your enemies, you have the assurance of victory because God is with you. His power, faithfulness, and promises are unshakable. Stand firm, trust in Him, and remember: "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). When God fights for you, victory is inevitable. Trust in Him, use the spiritual weapons He has given you, and see His mighty hand deliver you from every battle.

A call to rely on the god of battles

The story of Jehovah-Nissi is a call to recognize God as the source of victory in every battle we face—physical, emotional, or spiritual. When we raise the banner of the Lord, we acknowledge that:

• The battle belongs to Him,

• Our strength comes from Him, and

• Victory is guaranteed by His power.

In practical terms, this means:

• Prayer: Seeking God's guidance and strength before engaging in any challenge.

• Faith: Trusting in His promises, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

• Praise: Lifting His name high, knowing that worship invites His power into the situation (2 Chronicles 20:22).

Again! the God of Battles is the One who fights for His people and brings them victory. When we place our trust in Him, lift His name as our banner, and rely on His strategies, we can face any opposition with confidence. Just as Moses declared in Exodus 17:15, we too can say, “The Lord is my banner! “Let us remember the words of Psalm 20:7: "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." Under His banner, there is no battle too great, no enemy too strong, and no challenge too daunting for the God of Battles.

WARNING AGAINST BACKSLIDING

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he falls. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Paul the Apostle, through the inspiration of God, pointed out the possibility of a believer becoming cast away after initial evidence of salvation and a lifetime of service to God. He compared the Christian life to a race and emphasized the fact that a participant could be disqualified from receiving the prize if he/she does not run according to the rules. Therefore, there’s a need to maintain self-discipline and avoid those things that can cause a person to be rejected by God. “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible, therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (2 Corinthians 9:25-27).

In his epistle to the Corinthians church, Apostle Paul continues this train of thought, apparently to warn some people in the church who felt eternally secured in their salvation even though they lived in sin. He warned believers against the danger of backsliding and thereby debunked the damnable heresy of the doctrine of eternal security. He emphasized that the great privileges that the Israelites enjoyed in their relationship with God were typical or illustrative of what believers in the New Testament enjoy. However, it is sad to note that despite those privileges the Israelites enjoyed, many among them who went into sin were destroyed, And the account of their failure was written to warn subsequent believers of all ages against the danger of falling back to sin.

There is no truth in the doctrine of unconditional security of believers. Those who are secured in Christ are those who continue in the word of God in true righteousness to the end. Believers can avoid backsliding by laying aside the things that bring temptations and taking necessary steps to victory through vigilance (1 Peter 5:8), prayer (Matthew 26:41), conviction (2 Timothy 3:14), trust ( 2 Timothy 1:2), Obedience (Psalm 119:60), resistance (James 4:7), and absolute surrender to God (Romans 6:13). As heaven-bound pilgrims, we must depend on the Lord for His sustaining grace and power. Our salvation, boldness at the throne of grace, conviction, and uncompromising stand on the truth is by grace. Without grace, we are as ordinary as other people.

We are most likely to fall when we are most confident of our own strength. Distrust in our strength makes us be vigilant and put our trust and dependence on God. This gave us the best security against all sins. God is able and indeed has promised to keep us from falling but we must look to ourselves (2 John 8). God is faithful to keep us from a tempting world full of snares. Though we are to be watchful and vigilant, he will proportion our burden to our strength. Hence, we should not be terrified or amazed when temptation comes. “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them, that believe to the saving of the soul”. May this be our portion as we continue in our pilgrim journey on earth till we see Jesus face to face in heaven.

POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY

In the book of Acts 1:8, the Lord Jesus Christ declared that; “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”. This promise when it was fulfilled on the day Pentecost marked the beginning of wonders in the book of Acts. The advent of the Holy Ghost has always been amazing in all ages. From creation, God’s work has always been done and handled by the power of Holy Spirit. No one has ever been sent to represent God and proclaim His word except by the instrumentality of the Spirit of God. Who can handle the Scriptures effectively without the Spirit of truth who inspired it? Who can change the lives of sinful men, and edify the believers without the help of the Comforter? No wonder the Lord charged and instructed the disciples to wait until they were endued with power from on high. If we are going to live dynamic lives and do enduring pastoral work, we need to be endued with a power that comes from above. Before Christ went to heaven after having given the great commission to His disciples, He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem until they have been endued with power from heaven. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). From this charge, we discover the need and necessity of being baptized with the Holy Ghost before effective and enduring service can take place.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is like having Christ present with you as he was with the disciples in the days of His flesh. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). It makes a believer a consuming firebrand bringing revival to the lives of others (Matthew 3:11), and others a conserving tanker of the water of life refreshing the life of men (John 7:37-39). It is the anointing that breaks the yokes and brings signs and wonders to follow the ministration of the gospel ministers (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The arrival of the Holy Ghost upon the believer is like having the peaceful dove of heaven resting upon one’s life-giving confidence, boldness, and courage in troubles and trials. It is an experience no Christian leaders and members can do without. “And when the day of Pentecost has fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

The Holy Ghost came on the day of Pentecost as the Lord promised and baptized the hundred and twenty disciples in the upper room. It was a mighty outpouring of God’s power on human vessels. It was a wonderful experience in the lives of the early church and for all believers today, who desire to tarry in prayer to be baptized with God’s power from high. The Holy Ghost is already here, we are not waiting for Him. He is the one waiting for us to receive Him if we are ready now. To receive Him: Let the love of God be fully shed abroad in your heart exceedingly by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5).

Be sure of a genuine experience of salvation and a sanctified heart. Lay your life down on the altar consecrated to the Lord’s service exclusively. Long for the river of living water exceedingly and look for the Comforter expectantly. Labor in prayer and endure like Elijah until you receive Him. Lift your voice in the hope to be immersed exactly as in the day of Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit has come, the initial evidence is speaking in tongues. This will be followed by the manifestation of power in the believer’s life. He is given – powerful anointing to speak against sin like Micah the prophet. “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin” (Micah 3:8). He also gives prevailing authority to do the miraculous with persuasive persistence, and energized faith to do the impossible (Acts 5:11-15; Acts 6:8). There is prayer ability beyond the ordinary “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

The Spirit of the living God gives perceptive insight into hidden things for the benefit of the Church. In addition, the Holy Ghost gives passion unquenchable for souls and zeal for the gospel work (Colossians 4:12-13).The arrival of the Holy Ghost gave birth to the New Testament Church in the Acts of the Apostles. The difference is very clear and the clearness is due to the anointing upon the Apostle who led the church. When church leaders are under the anointing of Holy Ghost, the following will be the event: Consistent conversion of souls into the kingdom (Acts 5:14); Constant conservation of converts and the newcomers (Acts 2:41); Correct Christian living in the church; Conforming church members (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7); Comforting counseling that strengthens members; Commissioned Christian witnessing by life and word (Acts 8:4). Above all, the church will be prepared and living in expectation of the Lord’s second coming.