Deuteronomy 20:4 for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Chatting on fb today with my friend I was reminded of Deuteronomy 20 which I had been read this morning.  This chapter has to do with the laws of warfare.  What I found amazing in this chapter is that God gave the Israelites many different ways they could get out of participating in the actual warfare.  It reminded me of the story of Gideon in the book of Judges where God kept cutting down the number of warriors because he wanted the Israelites to know that it  was God that was winning the fight and not their own strength.

So here in the beginning of their journey as a people conquering the Promised Land they were told they did not have to fight if they had just bought a piece of land, or planted a vineyard, or were to get married or were just plain afraid.  There was no condemnation for those that would choose not to fight because of these reasons.  In fact, it was better for them to stay home because they would bring discouragement or fear to the others around them.

But I think the main reason it was okay for them to stay home is because the fight is the Lord’s and he will use a small number to prove that the victory is indeed his.  I know lots of people in ministry and one of the main difficulties they face is there are not many who will come alongside them for the work, let alone the warfare.  So to them I want to say, “It’s OK, this is the way God always seems to do it.  You have done nothing wrong, in fact yours is the blessing to actually be able to fight alongside the Lord and to see his victory firsthand. Just do not forget whose fight it actually is.”

I know some would say this is Old Testament and not relevant for today.  To you I would point out that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.  His principles do not change.  He still uses the weak and foolish things of this world to show his might and power and glory. 

So to my friends in the battle…remember the fight is the Lord’s and he will be victorious.  Realize that he means for you to be outnumbered because anyone can win if they have the numbers behind them.  Do not judge those that cannot accompany you in your fight, instead enlist them to be cheerleaders and prayers for your fight so that they can see God’s glory shine in your circumstances. It will not be easy, but it will be so worth it.