Who Is Going to Win?

Read 1 Chronicles 18

Read Isaiah 19

That's it. I can't fight anymore. I surrender. This is my response today, a response to our reading in 1 Chronicles 18. This chapter is very encouraging to the Christian. It speaks of many victories for the people of Israel brought through the Lord's servant, King David.

So why do I surrender? Because I am trying to fight my own battles. But the battle belongs to the Lord. In my own battles there is failure. In the Lord's battles, victory.

But how hard it is sometimes to see the victory. And sometimes the losses along the way to victory are devastating and feel like defeat. We carry many burdens and sorrows. And as Christian people, we are called also to carry other people's burdens and sorrows. Goals we might have for home, family, employment, accomplishments might go unachieved. That feels like failure. Even when we pour ourselves into the Lord's work, good work that he has called us to do, and we strive with all our might to serve faithfully, sometimes we experience setbacks. Serious, gut wrenching setbacks. We never serve perfectly, but even when we do our best and we are trusting and faithful, many times it feels like we fail.

Surrender. It is in God's hands. Israel had a rocky past. Many times they were given incredible and miraculous victory. Sometimes, however, they would go into battle and face defeat. The problem was never that God's power was lacking, the problem was always Israel. They lacked faith. Or they trusted in idols. Or they didn't wait for the Word of the Lord. Or they completely disobeyed God's commands.

We sin in all those ways too. That's failure. And even when we are trusting God, relying on his Word, and being obedient, we can still face devastation's and frustrations all the same.

That's why we need 1 Chronicles 18. We see King David conquer in the strength of the Lord. He conquers without fail. There is great victory and rejoicing for the people of Israel. The battle is the Lords.

And the Son of David - no, not Solomon, but a future descendant, Jesus - would be David's Lord. This Jesus would fight even greater battles and win even more incredible and miraculous victories. This Jesus breaks the power of sin and death in your life through his death on the cross and triumphant resurrection. This Jesus, by the power of the Spirit of God, assures you that you will not fail, not in reality. No! Even when we face frustration and devastation, even when we feel like failures, even when the future looks bleak, even when we feel overwhelmed and helpless, he promises us victory.

We picture Jesus in our minds in a number of ways. Today, try picturing him as you pictured King David in our reading. A mighty warrior, prepared for battle, a cry of courage in his throat, his sword lifted up and ready to strike. He is our Valiant One who grants you victory.

There is your peace and confidence today.

Ask Yourself:

What frustrations do I have today? What devastation?

Where have I failed? Where have I been faithful but still feel like a failure?

Who owns the battle?

Pray:

"Gracious Lord, many are the battles of the sinner and the saint within me, many are the losses I have suffered. Forgive my sins and keep my faith in the one glorious victory won by Jesus Christ. Amen." (TLSB p. 498)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!