When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be faint-hearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. NIV
This passage immediately follows the one I looked at yesterday.
I love that the instructions here are so clear and precise: the priest is to come forward and address the army when Israel is about to go into battle, and to remind them that God is the one who goes with them.
Sometimes, when I’m worried about an impending battle or problem, I remember that it is all in God’s hands. At those times, I am gifted with the “peace that passes understanding.”
Other times when I am worried, I forget that the power of God is on my side. I place my trust in myself or my circumstances. It is at those times that I continue to worry and fear and become fainthearted, as the verse says.
What I love about this is — God knows his children. He knows that we will have a tendency to trust things that we can see and touch, things that seem permanent and trustworthy. So, He plans ahead. At the most important times, the people will be verbally reminded that the Lord their God goes with them, and that it is His divine power that will prevail.
I don’t have a priest to provide that reminder as I go out to do battle in my day. But, I have this verse and dozens of other reminders not to worry. Today, I will rest in the peace that God has for me and turn my worries over to Him.
365 Days of Peace 