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Hoekstra: God Promises to Fight for His People

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20130712_fight

This blog post is based on Bob Hoekstra’s popular devotional Day By Day By Grace. For previous posts in this series, click here.

“The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes…No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”

(Deuteronomy 1:30 & Joshua 1:5)

God’s promises had guaranteed that Israel would be delivered from bondage in Egypt. Here, God promises to fight for His people, assuring them of victory in battle as they entered the Promised Land.

There would be many battles as God’s people went into the land.

Ungodly nations would persistently oppose them. Moses, as God’s spokesperson, expresses the Lord’s commitment to do battle for Israel. “The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you.” The Lord had done mighty things for Israel in bringing them out of Egypt. Now, Moses assures them that God will act again on their behalf “according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes.”

Later, the Lord Himself reassured Joshua of a similar truth.

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.” Many would try to come against the people of God under Joshua’s leadership. Yet, God pledged the same faithfulness to Joshua that Moses had enjoyed. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” Then, the Lord added the ultimate words of reassurance. “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” When facing the certainty of battles, there is nothing greater than having God committed to always be present to fight against the enemy. The battle report in one region of the Promised Land gave testimony to God’s faithful promises. “All these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel” (Joshua 10:42).

We are also engaged in warfare, spiritual warfare.

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). As spiritual soldiers, we must use spiritual weapons. “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” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). The promises of God are part of our spiritual weaponry. We can stand victorious in battle by the promises of God, just as the Apostle Paul did. “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you…And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:9-11).

Dear Lord, the battles rage hot and heavy so often in my life. I thank You for Your promises to fight for me. I rest in Your presence in my life here in the midst of this battlefield called earth, Amen.

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Comments

  1. Chris,

    Father does go ahead and prepare the battle field for victory for us. It just happened for me last week. I had a case and I have chosen to trust Father that Justice will be served and it was. Him and I were victorious.

    I did not have to speak one word except Yes Sir to the Judge. Father had already handled everything due to the law prior to me even arriving. It was amazing 🙂 I was in shock how He maneuvered everything and everyone to have His Justice served.

    Just for Me.
    Why because He promises to do those things for those who love Him and are obedient to His word, His timing, and His will.

    His ways are truly not ours and we can not lean to our own understanding for sure !!! This was truly one of those instances.

    The truth is if I had really trusted Him in the first place, been obedient back then and waited on Him instead of thinking I knew best. I had some stinking thinking and fear that turned bad for me.

    I would have never gotten myself connected with the mess He had to help me with.

    After it all turned south I finally got it.
    I had stepped out of obedience so I repented, He forgave me, and then He turned what the devil meant for my destruction in to a testimony of His Love and Glory !!!

    Thank you My Awesome Savior !

    Glory Be to “My Great Daddy” whose Love turned me around 🙂
    Love you Donna

    • Hallelujah Donna.

      There were no posts when I was writing but as my post was posted I see yours.

      Donna. Praise the Lord Jesus. You are like His Jehoshaphat!.

      A wonderful testimony. Tell all. Psalms 107:1-2.

      In Christ
      Mark H NZ

  2. Amen Chris. Hallelujah.

    Breaux shared a verse the other day which is most appropriate.

    2 Samuel 22:4 “I will call upon the Lord who is worthy of praise and He will deliver (save) me from my enemies.”

    This is also the same word in Psalms 18:3.

    As the Psalmist has also written in Psalms 33:1 “Praise befits the upright”

    As I write this the writings of 2 Chronicles 20 is brought to mind. This is at the time of King Jehoshaphat of Judah.

    2 Chronicles 20:2 ‘Some men came and told Jehoshaphat “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea.”

    Jehoshaphat’s response was one of fear but his response also was one of a God fearing man.

    Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord in prayer, in praise calling upon the Lord Almighty’s great and terrible (awesome) attributes-“O Lord, God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven? Do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In Your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand You.” 2 Chronicles 20:5-12

    A messenger was later sent to Jehoshaphat who declared ‘Thus says the Lord to you “Fear not and do not be dismayed at this great multitude for the battle is not yours but God’s”
    2 Chronicles 20:15-17

    Jehoshaphat’s response with the people was to bow low, his head face to the ground. Then as they went out to do battle in holy array those appointed by Jehoshaphat sang “Give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love (mercy) endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21

    The Lord we see then won the battle without Jehoshaphat’s people laying even a finger on the enemy. 2 Chronicles 20:22-26.

    “Give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love (mercy) endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21, Psalms 106:1, Psalms 107:1.

    The Hebrew for steadfast love (mercy) is ‘checed’ which means God’s covenant keeping faithfullness.

    God is faithful to win our battles by our merely praising Him.

    Does anyone recall who wrote the book ‘From prison to praises.’?

    This is also another example of 2 Samuel 22:4 and Psalms 18:3.

    Hallelujah.

    In Christ
    Mark H NZ

  3. Amen and Amen! Thanks be to God, Glory to God in the highest! For he alone is worthy of our praise.

    Thank you Lord for coming to rescue your daughter, Donna in such a magnificent way. Blessed be your Holy Name.

    The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

    The thought of the promises of God being part of our weaponry is amazing! Every competent soldier knows his equipment and his available proven fighting gear. He knows what does not work as well 1Sa 17:39.

    When I think of dressing properly for spiritual battle, I think of Eph 6:10-18. Breastplates, Helmets of salvation, Truth gird about the waist, feet shod with the good news of the gospel, shield of faith, retarding fiery darts, sword of the spirit Hbr 4:12. But not forgetting the “weapon of prayer” which is powerful source of destruction to the enemy.

    But to add to this arsenal of fighting gear, the promises of God and on top of that, the power of “PRAISE” as Mark pointed out, even mentioning Prison to praise by Merlin R. Carothers. These are powerful tools with which we can engage the enemy of our souls with, and move in victory. Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil 1Jo 3:8

    But to add even more,as Steve pointed out, the obedient Christian, walking by faith, in the Spirit, fully charged with the power of God’s love can and will add another element of weaponry available for our use. Ro 8:37 Others may place their enemies in subjection; those here mentioned master not only their foes, but themselves.

    Not leaving our post, or forgetting the reality of the fight and the diligence required, I know because of the promises of God, victory is already in the camp. 1 Jo 4:4,

    By his grace and unfailing love, in all humility we walk hand in hand with the one who has put all things under his feet. I’m so glad and I’m truly excited.

    In Him, co-laboring in love,

    Breaux

  4. God Bless You all,

    What do you now about Jesus Christ after defeating the Devils works– handling his (adversary’s weapons) in a victory celebration after defeating him?

    Well to explain, remember if a King defeats his enemy–The Victorious King will carry the weapons of the defeated King and “SHOW” everyone on the victory lane, the weapons and that king’s power as no more power.

    Which in return for the people, they have no need to fear that king anymore.

    Jesus Christ came and defeated the Devil–“WE” as believers don’t need to be afraid anymore—that’s my point here–is that cool or what?

    Jim

  5. Good morning and God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ for this opportunity to respond to your blog regarding “God promises to fight for His people” from the OT scriptures. I was so blessed to be reminded of Ephesians 6 where the words addressed to those of us living in the Grace administration are exhorted to put on the whole armour of God – Spiritual armour for a spiritual battle as opposed to the physical battles that were necessary before Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. It’s amazing that this spiritual battle is fought in the depths of our thoughts and then will manifest results in the physical realm. This battle is just as real as the physical combat of the OT. I am so thankful to have God’s word to read and study which helps me keep my mind stayed on God’s love, goodness, power and might as He “goes to bat” for His children each day! Thank you for this blog!

  6. Tess,

    My Loving Sister, you are not alone. I Love you 🙂
    I have walked in your same steps and still do. He gave me these things below to take on my journey as I walk.
    Ponder these Words from written by the Lord for those who also walked our same steps.

    James 3:17
    But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

    1Peter 4:14
    If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

    2 Cr 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

    2Cr 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

    May I lift you up in Prayer to My Great Daddy “YHWH” Father I pray for my sister Tess that you will bring her threw what you have brought her to with Love and Victory. That you will continue to strengthen her and all us to walk in you Mercy, Grace, Love and Power. Father we know, because you told us if the world hates us remember it hated you first. I pray that any of us who cause division my self included will see the truth as you have said, a divided house will fall. So today I ask dear LORD that you would Bless those who bless us and also for those who do not. I also ask as only you can do to change our hearts to be more like you in order to be the body you will for us to be. In Love and Supplication I ask these things for those whom you dearly Love. Amen in Jesus name.

    Love Donna

    • PS… Love Conquers All….. You, Tess have that Love and you have your answer to the why.

      • No worries Donna. These are times of opportunity. When we are attacked for our love of our Savior we have a wonderful opportunity to display who we are through Him. Those are opportunities to love as He loved and in doing that the love of God shines forth. Matthew 5:16; Colossians 3:12-14; Matthew 5:43-45

        Thanks so much for your sweet words Sis.

  7. WOW !!

    I just got it Mark, I see it now…

    We are Living it now 🙂 How exciting and spectacular

    “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you…And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:9-11).

    No man will ever silence the word My Father puts forth from my mouth, finger, pen, as I have the Holy Spirit inside me, His Spirit in me, to tell me when it’s time to be quite 🙂 to leave 🙂 to let it be :). Angels Charge of me Also

    I Know His Voice…………

    I never have to be afraid again to mess up and be thrown away. He promises never to leave or forsake me.

    I love Him with all MY HEART and He will continue to grow me, prune me, shape me, in the fashion He sees fit as He sees fit. Just like He does all of us. He is the Master Potter we are the clay.

    I am Deeply steeped in the Word of God with much prayer, supplication, and humiliation.

    I forge forward to my prize..My Husband, My Savior, My Jesus Christ who died for me so I could Live and Live Fully.

    Thank you my Father for “THE PROMISE” “THE VICTORY” and Most Of All “YOUR LOVE” Donna

    • Nice–isn’t it when you have those “I get it moments”

      Ya it makes all that hard work worth it all.

      You have power, it’s God’s Power,

      You know what else is cool about God’s Promises?

      Well there’s over 900 or better but who’s counting–God’s NOT going to promise something He can’t perform. So really whatever He has said–Well I guess that settles it.

      Wow

      jim

  8. Jim, His Word is Final & True.

    I find I am the issue most of the time 🙂 for example.

    Father has promised my husband and I this new home, His Home, Our Dream & His Plan for us this Season.

    Now even though its getting built and I see it moving forward I still have trouble waiting on Him to do it His way, dealing with living in a travel trailer leaving it all behind to follow His way, being content with what and where I am, putting Him first and my fleshly wants second.

    My fallen nature, my thorns, my flesh all want to help His promise along in my time….

    Oh MY just like Sarah…I see it ! our wants out run our trust to wait on the LORDS timing….When I run ahead, as usual I get out in the clearing and feel naked and alone and cry out “ABBA” daddy where are you???? Only to Find it was me who ran ahead..

    Glory Be to YHWH the one who created us and Loves us so much He sent His only begotten son, so we could live. 🙂
    Thanks be to Him…. I love you Father.