Battles

2 Chronicles 20: 15b +17: ...”for the battle is not yours but God’s...you need not fight in this battle, station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed, tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.”

When faced with a huge army of several enemies, the people of Judah and King Jehoshaphat gather before God to fast and pray. The Judahites having come from all over the land pray to God, reminding Him of and recalling themselves, His promises. Acknowledging their powerlessness and fear, all people; men, women and children come to God to ask for help. After their prayer, God to His people though a priest. What God tells them is both exhilarating and frightening. The people are told they must face their enemies and as they do, they will see God fight for them. Their involvement is called for but in a way that is perhaps very unlike what they expected. God will do the fighting for them.
This is similar to the account in Exodus 14:12-13. At the time of this event, Pharaoh had decided to chase the escaping Hebrews. When they reached the shore of the Sea of Reeds, the Hebrews realized they are caught between the sea and the pursuing Egyptian Army. In fear and doubt they cry out to Moses who tells them, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”
Again, an impossible military situation looms and the people are fearful. Moses, their leader, knows God will rescue them and so, tells the Hebrews not to fear, and to watch the salvation God will bring. Their only duty, was to be silent and watch it happen.
In these two impossible battle situations, God is the deliverer of His people. Their part is to be still and watch - to see God work on their behalf. The only rescue from impossible situations comes from the One not troubled by the impossible. God, alone, is able, when nothing else and no one else can; to help, to save, to rescue. Crying out to God in the face of hopeless circumstances is the move of wisdom and faith. Then, when He answers we can face the situation and watch His deliverance. Watching and not running away; facing it straight on and not giving up; trusting, not giving into fear: that will lead us to see the deliverance of God.