When, Not If

Psalm 20:5a

We will shout for joy when you are victorious
       and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.

Throughout the history of Israel, God fought for them.  He was for them, and he was before, behind, beside, and among them.  He led, he brought up the rear.  He shielded and defended, and made a way for them in battle.

God has not changed, although the battleground may have.  He goes before us, he guards behind us, he stands beside us, and he moves among us.  He is leading us into whatever battle we may be entering and he is bringing up the rear, still.  He is our shield.  He is our mighty defender.  He is making a way for us that will lead to victory.

In fact, he is already victorious.  The battle, the great battle has been won.  We are still bound by time, though, and so we are anticipating this victory from the vantage point of soldiers in the middle of a war.  Even though we know the battle is won, there is still fighting going on.  While this carries on here, this side of Heaven, we will see victories.  And for those victories we can praise the God who defeats and we can "shout for joy" every time we witness him conquering an enemy.  Right now, for me, the enemy in my life is in my mind.  Paul says,"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strong-holds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, emphasis mine)  This is my battleground.  And sometimes I want to retreat!  But, I won't!

Lift up your banner, acknowledge his might!  He can do what seems impossible...he is the LORD!