God Defeats Armies

God defeats armies. The True God acts on behalf of his True Servants. God's true servants can not be defeated because God can not be defeated.

Elijah Calls Fire from Heaven (Woodcut, Nuremberg, 1702).

  

God's true servants can not be defeated because God cannot be defeated. The Scriptures contain many instances where even enemy armies of overwhelming size and strength are defeated by God's power.

“The battle is not mine, but the Lord's.”

First, we must admit the servants God so blesses are marked with lives dedicated to God through obedience. Yes, they sometimes feel reluctance facing confrontation, but they chose obedience when God directs them. Frequently, they consult God before battle.

“Fear not, for those who are with us

are more than those with them.”

One of my favorite stories is when King Ahaziah fell through the upper lattice of his palace in Samaria and injured himself. He sent palace messengers to the town of Ekron to consult the idol, Baal-Zebub, (Sound familiar?) regarding the King's health. God told the Prophet Elijah because the King consulted the idol, the King would not recover, but die.

Even today, servants forget to consult the True God of the Universe. Undoubtedly, many do not really believe in Him, except as a last resort.

The King asked the royal messenger who had spoken to them. They described Elijah the Tishbite as a man wearing a hair garment and a leather belt, very prophet-like. King Ahaziah sent a company of fifty soldiers to bring Elijah to the King. Bad mistake.

“Man of God” ordered the curt commander, “Come down!”

“If I am a man of God,” answered Elijah, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And it did. In fact, the King sent another fifty men and the same result occurred again. They were burnt toast.

When the King sent a third company, this unit's commander was a little wiser and a little more humble. He fell on his knees. (Another lesson for today.)

“Man of God,” he said. “Please respect my life and the lives of my men.”

God told Elijah to go with him. In the outcome, Elijah again told the King that because he consulted the idol, he would most certainly die. And the King died. Even today, men make idols, substitute concepts in their hearts, or use idols that are not the True God. And they wonder why their prayers are not answered.

You can read about miraculous battles as a matter of scriptural record, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Hezekiah, Deborah and Barak, Jonathan, David, and many more. And there are many reports from modern wars.

The True God acts on behalf of his True Servants.

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NKJV).

(Story Ref. 2 Kings 1 NKJV)

– Bill Hunt

World in Christ/Messiah