The Battle Plan For The Christian

Text: 2 Chronicles 32:1-8

Introduction - Would you open the Word of God this morning to 2 Chronicles chapter 32?

I want to encourage this morning to write down seven steps in the battle plan for the Christian.

We have gotten off to running start to this new year.

In fact many of you have submitted your plans and dates for ministry to the church office.

Next Saturday the leadership will come together and discuss the varying plans for each ministry of this local church with the intent of carrying out God’s plan to preach the gospel to every creature and disciple and train Christians.

Being at the head of this year, many of us have a renewed commitment to serve the Lord,

We have a renewed vision to reach people with the gospel, We have a renewed strength and energy from the Lord to accomplish His work.

But I want you to see, as illustrated in what God has recorded for us concerning His people, that we must be prepared for the battle that is coming.

“A military tactician said” wisely “ that battles are won before they are fought…” Victory my friend depends on prior preparation.

I am reminded of Ezra who the Bible says in Ezra 7:10 “10 … had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

The same principle is demonstrated with the champion of faith, Daniel whom the Bible says, “…Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” (Daniel 1:8)

These godly men remind us that we must be prepared for the battle .

And this morning I would like to share with a passage that demonstrates some definite principles for you and I to prepare for the battles that we face. Would you stand with me for the reading of God’s Word in 2 Chronicles chapter 32?

2 Chronicles 32:1–8 “1 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him. 4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? 5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. 6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”

Let’s Pray

This passage of Scripture describes for you and I a battle, that according to the end of this chapter was won by the Lord for Southern Kingdom of Israel.

In fact we find a much larger and more detailed record of these events in 2 Kings chapters 18 and 19, where the Bible tells us that God sent an angel which destroyed 185,000 soldiers of the Assyrian army in one night.

But I want you to see as we look at this passage, that there were some defining things that Hezekiah and the people of Judah did, by way of a battle plan to resist the enemies of God.

Would you notice with me first of all:

I. Realization Of The Enemies vs. 1

The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 32:1 “1 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.”

Now it is important to note this phrase at the beginning of the passage, which state “After these things…”

As we see that phrase it tells us that there were some things that took place before this that are connected to this very event.

In fact, if you were to take time to read the chapters before this you would discover that king Hezekiah set a lot of things in order before this threat of the Assyrian Army arises.

And might I just mention as a side note—- my friend as you listen this morning to the Word of God perhaps there are some things that you need to set in order in your life.

So much of what we deal with in the way of difficulty comes from the simple fact that we have not ordered our lives properly before the Lord.

In chapter 29 of this book we read in verse 2, the over arching comment concerning Hezekiah that “he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD…”

In that same chapter, we read how it is that Hezekiah opened up the Temple, that he removed the filthiness as the Bible puts it out of the holy place (vs. 3-5) and commanded the doors to be repaired, and the Levites to be sanctified.

He reinstituted the right form of worship of Almighty God and sets in order the priests and the Levites to perform their tasks as God had commanded.

He gathered not only the religious rulers but the rulers of the city.

We read in verse 36 of chapter 29 that Hezekiah rejoices, that the people rejoiced and that God had prepared the people…

Of my friend again just as a side note, could I tell you this morning that there is great joy in the heart of the Christian for following after the Lord and His ways…

If you want to be a miserable person—- as a child of God—- be a disobedient Christian and you will not experience the kind of joy that is described in the Bible.

Further could I say this, that God will prepare you to follow His ways if you are willing.

The Word of God, yea the Holy Spirit, made it a point to point out that God had prepared the people.

In chapter 30 as the Bible continues to explain these before things, Hezekiah takes it a step further and they hold the passover celebration.

And that great leader does not hold it to Himself, but send letters all throughout the land to God’s people to compel them to be sanctified and point their hearts to the Lord.

And the Bible tells us that there “was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not like it in Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 30:26)

I want you to understand the gravity and significance of that statement.

That is roughly 200 years of time that has elapsed. Imagine it for a moment—- the joy that the people experience was a joy that had not been seen for 200 years. That my friend is almost three lifetimes.

There had been a great famine of joy in the land for 200 years….

And here they are doing all the right things…

Serving the Lord setting things in order….

Making the right plans—- committing themselves to God.

And here in our text the Bible tells us :

“After these things…Sennacherib king of Assyria came…”

Can I help you this morning?

There needs to be a recognition by God’s people that there are enemies encircling the camp of God!

My friend do not be fooled by language touted by the media today speaking of a golden age that is coming…

Could I speak plainly this morning, that if you devise to walk with the Lord,

If you plan on doing what is right,

If you have designs to serve the Lord wholeheartedly,

To set your family in order,

To set your house in order,

To put Christ as the ruler and leader of your life,

My friend the enemy will soon be at your gates.

Perhaps it is for the best that we be exercised by seeing the enemy approaching rather than be lulled by the quietness of no battles so that we rely in self sufficiency and not on the Lord.

You say, preacher these men of God were just trying to serve the Lord could they not have been given some peace and quiet.

My friend I believe it was the quietness and safety that Solomon experienced that led to the apathy and debauchery of the nation to begin with.

The Bible tells us that we have been called to fight the good fight of faith.

Paul spoke those very words to Timothy and in 1 Timothy 6:12 “12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

When someone stands in front of this congregation and gets baptized and declares I’ve trusted in Jesus Christ as my Savior, that is a good profession before many witnesses… But that profession is to now standfast and fight the good fight of faith.

We have further allusions to this in the second letter that Paul penned to Timothy when he stated in 2 Timothy 2:2–4 “2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

And so we see first of all this morning that the battle plan for the Christian must necessarily involve the realization of the enemies. But secondly I want you to see this vital part of the plan, number two:

II. The Removal Of Resources For The Enemy vs. 3

2 Chronicles 32:3 “3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.”

Hezekiah understood that He was not going to give any resources to the enemy.

And I was us to think for just a moment—- in your own life are you providing ammunition for the enemy to destroy your life or bring reproach to the name of Christ?

In 2 Samuel chapter 12 we read of the dark stain on the character of a man that the Bible speaks well of. But in this incident in this man’s life, the Bible tells us that there was ammunition given to the enemy to blaspheme the name of God.

Now I want you to consider this, for surely we are talking about the sin of David’s adultery with Bathsheba.

The Bible tells us in 2 Samuel 12:14 from the lips of God’s prophet Nathan, “14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”

I want you to realize that this removal of resources first of all need to be:

A. It is practical.

This was a practical thing to do preparing for the battle. And the question we must ask ourselves is this, what practical measures am I going to take so as not to provide resources for the enemy?

My friend the Devil is called the “accuser of our brethren” in Revelation 12:10. We are further told that He accuses the brethren night and day before God.

I would guess that some of His accusations are full of hot air like we discover in the book of Job.

But I would also guess, that we give too much place to the Devil in our sinfulness to allow Him to bring accusations concerning us.

What practical steps can you take to remove resources for the enemy?

I can tell you this that some of us need to leave off this matter if idleness.

Some of us need to leave off this matter of laziness.

Some of us need to take away the resource of filthy media.

Some of us need to take away the resource of defiling drugs and alcohol, and tobacco from our homes.

Some may need to remove the resource of worldly diversions from our lives.

You have to with God’s help determine what weights are slowing you down in the race God has set before you and what resources can be potentially used by the enemy.

B. It is preemptive.

We notice in our text that Hezekiah removed this resource before Sennacherib got to Jersualem.

He identified the enemy was coming. He had arrived in Judah—- but before the enemy could get a hold on the water supply, they began the work of cutting through the rock to divert the Gihon Springs into the city so that it did not give a fresh supply outside of the city walls.

All I simply try to tell you this morning is simply this, do not wait to be in the thick of a battle with the Devil to prepare.

In Romans 13:11 the Bible describes the time to get busy for the Lord as now. It is high time for us to awake out of sleep.

Not only should the removal of resources be practical, it is preemptive, but then thirdly I want you to realize it is painstaking work

C. It ispainstaking work.

We are told that Hezekiah’s tunnel project was 1,750 feet through bedrock (that is over a 1/4 of mile long). A tunnel work was started at one end and another began at the other end and they met somewhere in the middle. Can you imagine the work and the skill and effort that was required to accomplish this? This was no light task.

I want to encourage you though, that all of the preparation that you do in this area of insulating yourself against the reproach of the enemy will pay off.

The first part of the battle plan is the Realization of the Enemy, Secondly, the Removal of Resources For The Enemy, But thirdly, I want you to see this precious statement found in verse 4.

2 Chronicles 32:4 “4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?”

We see in this:

III. The Response Of God’s People vs 4

Oh my friend, look around this morning. What you see to your left and right are fellow labourers for the cause of Christ. The response of God’s people for the impending battle ought to be what we find here in the text.

How can I take part in preparing for the battles that we face?

Where can I stand among this local church family in the fight?

Listen in just several weeks we are going to set aside time to go out and hang door hanger all across Hampton. The response of God’s people ought to be Here Am I Lord Send Me.

If I could use the language of Scripture in present day application, Why should we allow the enemies of Christ to come and find us unprepared?

My friend there is work to be done for the Lord Jesus Christ. Will there be a unified effort among God’s people for the tasks that God has called us to?

Will you be a part of what the Lord Jesus Christ described as the “few labourers” in Matthew 9:37?

I also, would like to say this, it is encouraging when we see everyone joined together for the task. Nothing encourages individual Christians more than to see their brothers and sisters in Christ laboring for the Lord.

Next would you notice, not only do we see the Response of God’s people, but we notice in verse 5:

IV. The Readiness Of The Individual vs. 5

2 Chronicles 32:5 “5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.”

I am really emphasizing this first phrase, the Bible says, “Also he strengthened himself…:

The idea is simply this, that every one of us must be strong in the Lord.

Ephesians 6:10 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Our strength comes from the Lord. We see in verse 8 of our text which we will discuss in a minute, that the world relies on the strength of their own flesh.

The Lord Jesus Christ told Peter before the Cross, when they were supposed to be praying for the Lord, that the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)

How many realize this morning that their flesh is weak?

If you want to be prepared for the battle my friend you are going to have to be Strong in the Lord. (In other words what is needed for the battle is not fleshly strength, but spiritual strength.) And the source of that strength is the Lord Jesus Christ.

This means a total reliance upon Him. We see in our text that this does not mean indifference. This does not mean I sit around and do nothing….

But it does mean that I am relying on Him to provide the strength necessary to fight an enemy that greatly exceeds me in power.

We discover this, that as we rely upon the Lord, our victory is assured.

For God to send an angel to destroy 185,000 Soldiers was no problem.

Are you prepared as an individual for the battles that lie ahead?

If you are a father or a husband, may I ask the question, Are you prepared individually for the battles that your family faces?

If you are a wife or a mother, may I ask the question, Are you prepared individually for the battles that your family faces?

If you are a single person, may I ask the question, Are you prepared individually for the battles that you face?

Can I ask you leaders at Sharon Baptist Church, Are your preparing individually for the battles that this local church faces? Are you prepared to stand—- having done all to stand?

Next would you notice the last two verses in our text as we begin to close.

In verse seven we have the fifth truth in our battle plan and that is the:

V. The Reassurance Of Our God vs. 7

2 Chronicles 32:7 “7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:”

Regardless of what the battlefield looks like, I want you to remember what the Bible says, there be more with us than there are with him… or we might say them.

Oh my friend, I have no visions of grandeur about a golden age coming through political momentum of conservative politicians, but you and I need to be like David and encourage ourselves in the Lord.

The Bible issues this sure directive, Be strong and courageous.

God is whispering in our ear this morning, be not afraid nor dismayed… Why? There be more with us than with him.

Some might say this morning I just can’t make that decision that the Lord is asking me to make…. I can’t do what God has asked me to do?

My friend the Lord is telling you yes you can, not through your strength, but through my strength.

I believe the Bible is clear that Satan only took listen 1/3 of the angelic host with him (Revelation 12:4). That tells me that 2/3 of the innumerable host are still the ministers of God. That tells me that there are more with us than with our enemy.

Besides that, if I am on God’s side, there is no power that is greater than our Almighty God.

Romans 8:31 “31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Number 6 we notice this also, that these resources are accessed by faith.

VI. The Resources Accessed By Faith vs. 7

2 Chronicles 32:7 “7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:”

These words given by Hezekiah required faith on the part of the people, that God was going to bring great victory.

It was obvious that the human army of the Assyrians was greater than the human army that Hezekiah could muster.

So therefore, what Hezekiah is asking the people to do is have faith in God.

This is evident if you read what the servants of Sennacherib began to shout to the people of the city in verses 10 and 11 of this chapter.

In your battle with the enemy, the question is, are you going to have faith in God. I thought almost this morning to preach a message out of the book of Luke chapter 17:5. It is a simple phrase uttered from the mouth of the apostles, “Increase our faith.”

You know this is the great need of God’s people today… perhaps you would be willing to come this altar and utter these very words to the Lord as well, Lord increase my faith.

We need a great increase in our faith particularly in our vision for God’s work.

We expect so little from our Almighty God.

Lastly as we finish this passage, We have seen the great need to recognize the enemy, the removal of resources, the response of God’s people, the importance of the readiness of the individual, the reassurance from God, the resources accessed by faith, but lastly, notice this the rest found in God’s Word.

VII. The Rest Found In God’s Word vs. 8

2 Chronicles 32:8 “8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”

It is a curious expression to find in a battle plan is it not. The Bible says the people rested themselves in the words of Hezekiah.

They were not resting in Hezekiah, although there is something to be said for having a strong godly leader. It says they rested in the words that He told them.

What did He tell them? We read in verse 7 and here in verse 8. The Lord our God will fight our battles.

Oh my friend the battle is the Lord’s.

I am reminded of the words of the Archangel Michael when dealing with the Devil in Jude 9, “The Lord rebuke thee”

So many Christians are in unrest today, because they are not resting in the Word of God.

I suppose that many have not because they ask not. I suppose many other have not because they have not read the Word of God.

Any battle plan that we can come up with that does not include the Word of God is destined to fail!

Do you want to experience true rest?

You say, Pastor James I though we are preparing for battle?… We are… but there is rest to be found in the Word of God.

As we close,

I wonder which of these areas to do you need to sure up this morning?

Perhaps you have not recognized that the enemy is at the gates.

Perhaps you need to remove some resources out of your life and quit giving ammunition to the Devil.

Maybe it is that you need to join forces with God’s people and your response is to join this local church

Maybe the call is for you individually to strengthen your walk with the Lord, What my friend have you been faltering in? Have you been spending time in God’s Word, Have you been seeking the Lord through prayer? Are you present when God’s people meet together? Are you involved in the work of the ministry engaging folks in this local church and outside the walls of this church?

Someone here this morning might need to reckon on the assuring words of our God, Be strong and of a good courage.

Maybe for others, you need to come forward and ask the Lord to increase your faith.

And lastly, are you resting in the Word of God?