The battle is the Lord’s is a phrase found in 1 Samuel 17:47 and a worship song by Phil Wickham, Battle Belongs.
Battle Belongs is one of my favourite worship songs for my morning and evening commute. In the chorus, he sang, “Oh God, the battle belongs to you“. Just as David declared to Goliath, “the battle is Yahweh’s” in 1 Samuel 17:47.
I know the story of David and Goliath well. Pastor Prince preached and taught from it often. It is time to study and glean from it for myself.
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David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17 recounts the famous battle between David and Goliath. It is a story of winning a battle against the odds. Goliath had been shouting at Saul’s army for 40 days. Taunting them. No champion came from the Israelites, except David. Verse 47 recorded what David said to Goliath.
46 Today, Yahweh will deliver you into my hand. I will strike you and take your head from off you. I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines today to the birds of the sky and to the wild animals of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh doesn’t save with sword and spear; for the battle is Yahweh’s, and he will give you into our hand.”
1 Samuel 17:47 WEB
We fight knowing God will deliver
David firmly believed that Lord God will deliver Goliath into his hand. Regardless of Goliath’s size, the armour and helmet he wore, the weapons in his hands and the shield protecting him.
Even though David said that the battle is the Lord’s. He didn’t just stand there and wait for God to do something. David knew how he was going to fight Goliath. He picked up 5 smooth stones from a brook nearby. With his sling and stones, he will fight Goliath. I think he aimed at Goliath’s forehead. It wasn’t a blind throw. I am sure David took aim.
Application: In the same way, we can cast the outcomes of our challenges to the Lord and ask Him to fight for us. But it does not mean that we sit back and watch the show. We are to act in faith and with humility. Our challenges can also be loud and large. It can also seem that there is no way out. Trust that the Lord has provided a way. As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. He is there with us.
What are we looking at?
The Bible described Goliath in detail. His height and size. His helmet and armour. His weapons and defense. He is large. He is loud. Striking fear in the hearts of Saul’s army. How can a mere man overcome a giant with experience and equipment? It is impossible to overcome, and they are not wrong.
God’s solution was simple. A stone to the forehead. He skipped all the protection that Goliath set up. He showed David where Goliath’s weakness was.
What are our smooth stones?
David uses 1 of the 5 smooth stones to kill Goliath. Why did he pick up 5 then? I don’t know but whether 1 or 5, what is a smooth stone against armour, spear and shield? God use the smallest, most common thing to bring a giant down.
Application: What are our smooth stones? I think it is the holy communion, the praying in tongues, sing praise and worship, and biblical meditation. Think about it? How does taking the holy communion elements heal my sickness? How does praying in tongues protect me? How does biblical meditation guide me to make important decisions? It is not activities themselves that has power, but the God behind them.
There are much more to glean in this story. I will add when I find them. Meanwhile, let’s sing a worship song to the Lord.
Battle Belongs Lyrics
When all I see is the battle, You see my victory When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me There's nothing to fear now for I am safe with You So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees With my hands lifted high Oh God, the battle belongs to You And every fear I lay at Your feet I'll sing through the night Oh God, the battle belongs to You And if You are for me, who can be against me? Yeah For Jesus, there's nothing impossible for You When all I see are the ashes, You see the beauty Thank You, God When all I see is a cross, God, You see the empty tomb Almighty fortress, You go before us Nothing can stand against the power of our God You shine in the shadow, You win every battle Nothing can stand against the power of our God Oh God, the battle belongs to You
A Devotional on the Battle is the Lord’s
We have come to the end of this post. I hope you have found what you are seeking. If not, keep looking. For Jesus said,
9 “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10 WEB
For God so loved you, He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for you. You are precious to Him.
The featured image is David and Goliath by Robert Temple Ayres for “The Golden Treasury of Bible Stories”. Ayres is also famous for painting the Ponderosa’s map seen in Bonanza.
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