I t was a young shepherd boy who proclaimed the words, “the battle is the Lord’s” as he stood face to face with a giant (1 Sam. 17:47). In a valley full of fear, crowded with concern, and packed with panic, those five words were just what the nation of Israel needed. Certainly, David’s statement was one of courage and conviction, but it was also one of great faith. While the king, the nation, and David’s own brothers were greatly afraid (1 Sam. 17:11, 24), David reminded himself, and anyone within earshot, Who it is that slays our giants. With that in mind, let us consider some “giants” we may have in our lives, and why we need to remember the battle is the Lord’s.
First, we need to remember the battle is the Lord’s when it comes to our disease. When you think about it, sin is the most serious, most problematic, and most commonly carried disease this world has ever known. It is a disease that will spread within you (2 Tim. 2:16), a disease that will stain you (Rev. 3:4), and ultimately a disease that will sentence you (Rom. 6:23). To say that sin is scary would be an understatement. How we need to remember the battle is the Lord’s when it comes to our disease! It was Paul who said, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He made it possible for us to have victory over sin. Therefore, if you have been washed in His blood, and you are striving always to walk in the light, do not allow sin to paralyze you with fear (Acts 22:16; 1 John 1:7). Our disease has been defeated by Christ!
Second, we remember the battle is the Lord’s when it comes to the devil. When we examine Scripture, there is a lot we learn about the devil. We know he is on the hunt for us (1 Pet. 5:8), we know he can trick us (Eph. 6:11), and we know he will do anything to tempt us (Matt. 4:1-11). Knowing these truths about Satan can certainly create a sense of fear in our minds, but once again we need to remember God is going to be victorious. In Romans 16:20 the Bible says, “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” Does Satan have certain capabilities in the world we live in? Absolutely, but in the end, he will be defeated. We need to take confidence in that truth and remember the only one who can take away our salvation is ourselves (John 10:29)
Finally, we need to remember the battle is the Lord’s when it comes to death. For most people, death is perhaps the greatest fear they face. The unknown nature of when death will come and how death will come sits uneasy in the minds of many. However, for a Christian, what is there to fear? On one occasion Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). Friends, what Jesus told Martha 2,000 years ago is still true today. We can have victory over death through Christ, because He has won the battle. Was that not Paul’s very point, when he said, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55). Though it is a foe we will all have to face, barring the Lord’s return, death has no hold on the Christian.
Facing a “giant” can be a fearful thing. Whether it be a Philistine named Goliath, or a disease named sin. Either way, overcoming our fears can be accomplished if we simply remember Who’s side we are on (Rom. 8:31). What a blessing it is to know, “the battle is the Lord’s.”
-Alex Simmons