How prone we are to lose sight of this, and to imagine, because we see only our little corner in the conflict, that the battle is ours!

If the battle is the Lord’s, then the responsibilities for planning belong to Him.

Everything connected with the line of attack, the method of defense, must belong to Him. We need not be anxious as to the enemy’s subtlety, activity, or power.

“As commander of the army of the Lord I have now come” (Joshua 5:14).

He has a full view of the enemy’s movements and a perfect knowledge of the enemy’s devices. He has anticipated all the enemy’s wiles. It is impossible for Him to be deceived or to be taken by surprise. It is His glory that is at stake, the honor of His name that is being assailed. He is able to withstand the mightiest foe!

If the battle is the Lord’s, the supplies will be all-sufficient. No one knows how much is wanted in the day of battle like that General who has been through many campaigns. We shall lack nothing to make us victorious warriors.

The Victory is certain! The Captain on whose side we are has never known defeat. He goes forth conquering and to conquer. The enemy may apparently gain temporary advantage at different points of the battle, but victory over Christ by Satan is simply impossible!

But He expects us to rest in His wisdom. In the thick of the fight, in the midst of the smoke and din of battle, we may fail to see the wisdom of all God’s ways. When we cannot see, it is then that we must rest in His wisdom. Let us have confidence in His power, and be obedient to His commands.

I will not fear the battle, if Thou art by my side.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us . . . in Christ’s triumphal procession” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Queen Victoria said, “We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not exist!”

Let this point be settled, that the battle is the Lord's, and we may be quite sure of the victory, and of the victory in such a way as will best of all display the power of God. The Lord is too much forgotten by all men, yea, even by the assemblies of Israel; and when there is an opportunity to make men see that the great First Cause can achieve His purposes without the power of man, it is a priceless occasion which should be well employed. Even Israel looks too much to sword and spear. It is a grand thing to have no sword in the hand of David, and yet for David to know that his God will overthrow a whole army of aliens.

If we are indeed contending for truth and righteousness, let us not tarry till we have talent, or wealth, or any other form of visible power at our disposal; but with such stones as we find in the brook, and with our own usual sling, let us run to meet the enemy. If it were our own battle we might not be confident; but if we are standing up for Jesus and warring in His strength alone, who can withstand us? Without a trace of hesitancy let us face the Philistines; for the Lord of hosts is with us, and who can be against us?

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.—Born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

My Spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.—The battle is not yours, but God's.

The Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's.