It was a time of transition in Israel. Moses is delivering his farewell address to an anxious nation of wanderers who have finally arrived on the doorstep of the Promised Land. Listen to his words in Deuteronomy 3:21-22:
“And I commanded Joshua at that time, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. So will the LORD do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.'”
Men, women, and children will have to step by faith across a miraculously-parted Jordan River. Soldiers will have to draw their swords. Joshua will have to lead. Spies will have to confidently report. Priests will have to march around Jericho’s walls, armed only with trumpets. A scarlet cord will have to be tied in a window. The ark of the covenant will have to be carried. But each and every one of those people had what they needed to walk and fight and live with faith-filled courage. How?
“It is the LORD your God who fights for you.”
A few millennia later, disciples of Jesus continue to walk by faith, not by sight. We remind ourselves in song that this world is not our home. On Jordan’s stormy banks we also stand, and cast wishful eyes to the fair and happy land where our true possessions lie. In the meantime, we use God’s written revelation as a light for our path. Take a moment to listen carefully…
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Eph 6:10-18)
You know one way to rephrase that God-breathed communication?
“It is the LORD your God who fights for you.”
One way to summarize the entire last book of the Bible?
“It is the LORD your God who fights for you.”
And so we pray, casting our anxieties before our Father’s throne. We worship. We assemble. We share. We sacrifice. We unashamedly shine. We seek the welfare of our cities and our neighbors. We set our minds on things above. We abhor what is evil. We hold fast to what is good. We love one another with brotherly affection. We outdo one another in showing honor. We bless those who persecute us. We rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We repay no one evil for evil. We live as if our real citizenship is in heaven and our crucified, resurrected, reigning King could return at any moment. Come what may, through the storms, through the darkest valleys, through every discouragement, confusion, and heartache, we endure. We press on. We rejoice in hope. We’re patient in tribulation. We speak and sing and write about joy and peace and life and home. How? Why? We remember.
“It is the LORD your God who fights for you.”
And we believe.