He Hears Us in the Midst of Battle.

Recently, I went through trouble – who can’t say that? We are always going through trouble, just out of trouble or headed into trouble. It is the way of life. What is important about trouble is that as we pass through more and more of it, we learn to remember what the Lord has already done. 

In this last bout of trouble, the Holy Spirit pressed on me that the Lord hears His children in the midst of battle. What a wonderful thought. According to First Chronicles, 5:20-22, when we cry out to God, he hears us. When we put our trust in Him, He comes to the battle, because the war is His. What a beautiful, comforting thought. I am not alone. The things that are happening to me are a part of a battle that God is fighting. Perhaps even a battle I can’t see. Surely, Satan does not really want my job; nor does he want my small savings. He wants me to turn from the battlefield and doubt God is in control; that God hears me when I cry in the midst of battle. To me, this is the best reason to fight. I do not want Satan to gain any ground, especially not in me or through my actions or thoughts.

Yet, as Christians, our methods of fighting look different from the world’s methods. We do not grab weapons of war, but weapons of peace. When I am injured, I must give something I want to the person who has injured me. I don’t understand it; I just know this is the way the battle is won. 

Still, if you are anything like me, this necessary giving is the true battlefield, the battle with the flesh. I do not want to give anyone who hurt me something precious to me, be it time, effort, money, kindness, or “water,” as Jesus said. The war rages inside until I submit and become obedient, find what I am to give and follow God’s plan. At this point, the battle always ends; but the longer it takes me to give, the longer the battle rages.