I. Let us remember the great truth enunciated here, and let us in all thankfulness address our tribute of praise to God for the success wherewith He has crowned our exertions.
II. Let us never forget that war must always be considered as a judgment, however it may, in answer to a nation’s prayers, be accompanied with victory. (J. Bainbridge Smith, M.A.)
God in battle
This battle was--
I. A committed thing to God. The course of events was committed by a specific act to God; and Jehoshaphat and Judah stood in expectation of what He would do. Solemn acts of committal are of great importance in our spiritual life. If we have a bad habit to fight with, or a temper or special temptation to overcome; or if we have to deal with some wayward spirit; or if we want to attain to some grace, or even to do something that is too hard for our own strength, but which lies before us in the path of duty, let each of these be “committed things.”
II. An accepted thing by Him. God espoused Jehoshaphat’s cause: “The battle is not yours.” When we commit matters to God and He accepts them, we may see themin new lights altogether. We often do so, and wonder that we were so blind before. But we need not wonder. The light came in with God. When matters seem very dark to us, let us be fully assured that they are capable of being lit up.
1. “Not yours!” Why not? Because another interest had come in. In one respect the battle is always ours, inasmuch as we are the persons to reap all the substantial benefits, but in another it is God’s; He has interests as well as we. In our trial time, we must view Him as an interested God.
2. How was it not to be theirs? Just by God acting in the matter in His own way. We seem at times more as though we wished God to follow our leadings than that we should follow His. God will lead us by ways which we know not. We have to learn the double lesson of the insufficiency of known ways and the all-sufficiency of unknown. God has continually to teach us the last through the first. By taking the battle out of their hands, God severed Jehoshaphat and Judah from the depressing thoughts of the results being affected by their weakness. Conclusion: Consider Christ, who “committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously,” and Paul, who said, “I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” (P. B. Power, M. A.)
The Divine victory
I.These words imply that the cause is the cause of God. While the Christian life is undoubtedly a personal matter, it is well to look away from our interest and remember that God’s cause is chiefly concerned in the conflict of life.
1. Individually. TheDivine ideal for each man is the perfection of each man’s character, and therefore he makes the successful prosecution of the warfare for this end his own.
2. What is true of the individual is also true of the race. A redeemed and regenerated world is the idea of God. Our conflict, therefore, for these ends against the evil of sin and the corruption of the world is a battle of God.
II. These words imply that the method of victory is Divine. If the cause is God’s, the forces we employ and the mode of our warfare must also be His. The Koran might be accompanied with the sword, but not the gospel. Its weapon was a Cross, and in that sign it triumphed. So in all the battle of life he who would win the victory for God must usethe Divine armour. Eloquence, learning, wealth, and even physical force, have contributed at times to the success of the Church, but quite as often they have been hindrances. The method of Jesus is meekness and truth, the Word ever spoken, the life quietly lived, and the testimony borne and the faith kept clear and strong in the darkest and most distressful hour. How often in the conflict of life we try to fight the battle in our own way! We seek to conquer indwelling sin, to overcome the attack of the enemy who would destroy us, by some methods of our own. We always fail.
III. If the battle be God’s, then we may be confident that the end will be the Divine end.
1. How many good people are greatly distressed about their final salvation. But salvation is a condition of mind and heart--a present trust and submission to God, each moment assured, and therefore assurance for the next moment. Leave the end with God. It will be God’s triumph.
2. In respect of the final outcome of the conflict between good and evil, in the Church and the world, let us believe that God will take care of the issues, and that all will be well. Let us leave our doubts, and our forebodings, and our mistrustings with Him. (Llewelyn D. Bevan, D.D.)
Jehoshaphat helped of God
I. Jehoshaphat’s prayer teaches us when we may expect help of God.
1. In matters which we know God has at heart.
2. In matters for which Christ’s atonement stands pledged.
3. In matters for which we have not ourselves to blame.
4. In matters wherein we are powerless to help ourselves.
II. How we may secure God’s help.
1. We must come into communion with Him.
2. We must pray for God’s help.
3. We must implicitly follow God’s guidance.
4. Faith is an especial prerequisite to God’s aid.
III. How god’s help is given.
1. Not always or necessarily in the shape we desire it. God makes spiritual growth His first aim in all His dealings with His people.
2. But when compatible with higher advantages, God aids us in temporal things.
3. God gives us blessings beyond His promise or our asking.
Conclusion:
1. In God’s people the Divine help awakens gratitude.
2. Those who are not Christians are never unaffected when they see God help His children: “the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.” (Monday Club Sermons.)
The battle is not yours, but God’s
The text addresses a word--
1. To all who are bearing Christian protest against evil.
2. To all who are undergoing severe temptation.
3. To all who are labouring for the good of the world.
4. To all who are engaged in controversy on behalf of Christian doctrine. (J. Parker, D.D.)
The Lord’s battle
Luther’s strength lay in the way in which he laid the burden of the Reformation upon the Lord. Continually in prayer he pleaded, “Lord, this is Thy cause, not mine. Therefore do Thine own work; for if this gospel do not prosper, it will not be Luther alone who will be a loser, but Thine own name will be dishonoured.” (C. H. Spurgeon.)
