Beating a dead horse?

2 Chronicles 20:17
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you...

“You’re beating a dead horse.” This is probably an expression that needs to be uttered more often in our sanctuaries. I know, I know, that sounds a little bit harsh, but I believe it’s true. Think about it: how many of you have heard that we’re in a battle with the Devil; we’re in a constant struggle? How many times have you heard that we’re at war with the powers of darkness? While these may be true statements, what is our place in the battle and are we actually “doing” what God wants us to do? He is, after all, our commander in chief. What is it that God has for us to do in this battle against the powers of darkness? Let’s find out!

All too often we try to throw ourselves out there on the front lines of spiritual warfare, as if to say to God, “We are brave; we will fight!” In actuality, all this serves to do is get us in trouble. The battle belongs to the Lord, not to us. If it was God’s desire for us to fight against the powers of the Devil and his armies, He would not have given up Jesus. Unfortunately, when we fail to recognize this, we put ourselves outside of the protection of Jesus’ finished work and into enemy territory.

Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) because the battle is spiritual, but he doesn’t tell us to fight. We are told to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel shoes, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and the helmet of salvation. But why? What are we to do next? Pray and watch (Ephesians 6:18)!

Are we to believe that these mighty men of valor in 2 Chronicles showed up that morning in their underwear? Certainly not! They came out ready to fight, in full armor. But they were told to stand fast and see how God would do for them what they were prepared to do for Him. God didn’t want or need their help; He was going to win the battle for them.

We have a greater blessing than they did. Those men showed up in their own armor; we are standing firm in the King’s armor. It’s God’s righteousness that protects our hearts. It is His Sword that hangs on our side. We have put on Jesus Christ as our armor! The battle isn’t ours to go in and fight; it’s ours to stand by and watch, secure in our knowledge of Jesus Christ and His victory at the cross.

We aren’t called to put on the armor of God so that we can do battle with the Devil. Jesus already fought and won that war. We put on the armor of God to remind ourselves of who we are and what have in Jesus Christ. When we are secure in our understanding that His word is truth (John 17:17), and His righteousness ours (2 Corinthians 5:21); when we stand in His grace (Romans 5:2) and let our faith in Him be a shield (Ephesians 2:8); when we allow His Word to be our sword (Hebrews 4:12); and when we are sure in our minds of our salvation (Luke 1:77), then are we able to stand, watch, and fully accept that Jesus Christ has finished the fight for us! We will see His salvation, His grace, working in our lives and with our lives.

We aren’t called to actually fight a defeated foe. God, who lives outside of time, has already seen the Devil’s end. He’s already had that fight, and He’s already won that war. Let’s not beat a dead horse; let’s proclaim the victory of Jesus!