Core scripture: “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14)

Message: Growing up as a child, one of my favorite Atari games to play with my Papaw was Pitfall.  In Pitfall, my pixelated character had to navigate jungle territory, swinging over crocodiles, scorpions, water, and God forbid the worst of all … quicksand. 

Can we park there for a quick second?  I remember thinking that quicksand would be somewhat of a huge problem in life—yet I never encountered it.  It was in movies, TV, Atari video games, yet did I ever once get stuck in it?  Not sure I even SAW it!  Makes you wonder … I digress.

Truth be told, educators can encounter “quicksand” as well.  We all have those moments when the more we fight something, the deeper we entangle ourselves.  You struggle against that lost kid that needs help, but things only get worse.  You are stuck!  In quicksand.  Before you know it, you are in over your head, and there is nothing you can do. 

Or is there?

Phil Wickham’s song “Battle Belongs” explains this phenomenon marvelously.  That song has been my anthem for some time now, and the fighting that Wickham describes is exactly opposite as what the world would promote.  The worldly person would garner every possible weapon, coat themselves in armor, and charge into the fight; however, Wickham suggests something different …

So, when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

Fighting on your knees?  Somewhat of a different tactic there, Phil.  Come on, man!  But you do fight on your knees … with your hands lifted high, trusting in a God that takes over your fight and wins every single time.  This omnipotent force is unshaken.  Unbroken.  Undefeated.  You toss Him the sword, and He takes care of business for you.

Jehoshaphat had that problem.  2 Chronicles 20 tells his story.  The dude was surrounded by a plethora of enemy armies, all teaming up do destroy him, and he was terrified.  So, what does he chose to do?  He goes to the Lord in prayer.  Probably on his knees.  With his hands lifted high.  And the presence of the Lord descended upon a man named Jahaziel.

Jahaziel declares, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).  They give the battle to the Lord!  And that very next day his people didn’t even have to hold a weapon.  The story continues …

Jehoshaphat knew what to do.  His men broke out in song, praising the Lord.  Their confidence began to grow, and they began to believe.  Finally, Jehoshaphat stopped his men and told them, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed” (2 Chronicles 2:20).  God won the battle for them that day. 

The prescription for these battles we face is seen in this story.  It is easy as 1-2-3.  First, go to the Lord in prayer.  Next, trust in His magnificent power.  And finally watch HIM fight your battle.  He always wins.  The Undefeated One reigns supreme!

I have many battles I fight.  There are some where the Lord calls me to move, unsheathing my sword, and there are others where He lovingly tells me to get out of His way and let Him take care of business.  Sometimes His victory comes in an answer I don’t expect, but in reflection, His ways are always better than my own. 

Where is your battle?  What is the Lord calling you to do?  Does He want you to fight, or does he want you to relax and let Him take over?  The only way to beat quicksand is to lay down and be still, allowing someone to pull you out.  The more you fight, the worse it gets!  Stop fighting.  Relax.  Take a deep breath.  Be confident.

The Lord is fighting your battle, and He will pull you out.

Challenge: What obstacles are you facing right now?  Go to the Lord in prayer and ask for His wisdom on whether you need to fight or whether He needs to fight.  Discern the battles that need to go to the Lord, and watch Him begin to work in ways beyond anything you can imagine!

Song application: “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham

When all I see is the battle, You see my victory
When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me
There’s nothing to fear now for I am safe with You

So, when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …

• Praise God for His power!
• Pray for discernment about the battles we need to fight in the classroom.
• Pray for an unspoken battle I have been fighting for some time now.  I feel God wants me to fight part of it but wants me to give it to Him at different times.  It is hard to know the difference! 

Just for fun: I love this meme about quicksand.  My favorite quicksand scene?  Hands down The Princess Bride!  Seeing Wesley emerge from the muck and take that deep breath was epic.

Prayer: How foolish I am when I try to fight Your battles!  Grant me wisdom and discernment on which battles to take up my sword and which ones to give to You.  Amen.