Don't Throw in the Towel
Have you ever felt like giving up? Those are the times when you ask yourself the question, “What’s the use?” There are times in the best of lives, when the temptation to quit is overwhelming. Everyone wants to succeed at the goals, which they establish. We are encouraged when there are indicators that our efforts are not in vain.
Nothing is more discouraging then a series of failures, defeats, and setbacks. Those are the times when we are overwhelmed with the odds in life that we feel like giving up. As in the sport of boxing, when the corner of a boxer feels their boxer can not continue, they signal defeat by throwing a towel into the ring. I attest, in personal witness, many otherwise confident Christians, find themselves throwing in the towel when they face odds that seem unbeatable. What generates this feeling more than anything else are tough situations that seem unsolvable and irresolvable despite our best efforts.
Dealing with tough situations takes a whole lot of adjusting. Some folks never get ready for tough times and they simply throw in the towel.
Consider if you will a story I heard once about when the devil decided to visit the church…Some have been through so much they can stand just about anything!
As Believers, we are comforted to know that if we stand for that which is right; our battles are God’s battles. We are not lonely soldiers standing isolated on the battlefield, but we have the knowledge of knowing that our God joins us in our struggles, and promises us the victory through His power.
This text focuses on Jehoshaphat, as he learns that God will fight his battle. This king of Judah found himself surrounded by a coalition of armies that included the Moabites, Ammonites and Edo mites. They were in the process of attacking the people of Judah.
Jehoshaphat felt his only refuge was at the horns of the alter. He resolved to employ the aid of God. He called for a universal fast, a fast throughout the kingdom. He led the people in prayer. He reminded God that the enemies that were seeking to destroy Judah were the same nations God commanded Israel not to destroy when they left Egypt. Jehoshaphat’s appeal to God was, to remember that their present trouble was the result of their previous obedience to God. He then concludes by asking God to protect Judah.
As they prayed God sent word through the prophet Jahaziel, who told them that, the battle that was about to be fought was not their battle, but God’s.
In fact while it appeared that Israel would be the primary participant in the battle, they wouldn’t have to fight, but they would be victorious.
Hearing this, Jehoshaphat once again bowed his head and expressed thanks and gratitude to God.
Judah began preparations for a celebration. They had a victory celebration before the battle. The songs they sang were victory songs. The praises they rendered were announcements of victory. The Levites led the procession with their musical instruments; singing the 136th Psalm. The people carried on not as a nation marching against an enemy, but as one returning in joyful triumph after a victory.
The moment they began to praise God, the Lord went to work. The scripture says ambushes occurred. Some have argued that God sent Angels to ambush the Ammonites and Moabites and made it appear as though one had attacked the other. Others claim that there may have been arguments among them. Whatever the case animosities sprung up, which led to widespread dissensions and fierce feuds, in which they drew their sword against each other.
The consequence was that the work of destruction was completed before Jehoshaphat and his army arrived at the battlefield. When Judah finally made it to the battle scene, the enemy was destroyed. They didn’t have to fight at all, but rather take possession of the immense treasure that was there.
Today there are many who are fighting daily battles for one reason or another. Battles are small confrontations that are only a part of great wars. Sometimes battles can be pivotal in determining the outcome of the war. The great American battles at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, during the civil war, were pivotal because a victory or a loss would affect the final outcome of the war. In a similar sense, each of our small battles are pivotal. They may not be the whole war, but they can set up a series of events that determine the end.
When Jehoshaphat faced his enemies, he recognized them as people that Israel could have dealt with in their own way and avoid this trouble. However, Israel obeyed God. The battle was not their battle, but it was God’s battle. And He proved Himself quite able to win His own battles.
Many believer’s battles are God’s battles. These are battles that occur in our lives because we tried to do what we felt was right, and ill feelings, misunderstanding, confusion, and even serious trouble resulted. You tried to help someone and they turned on you. You gave your honest opinion and it wasn’t received well. You refused to participate in ungodly activity. You fell into financial trouble at no fault of your own.
These are the small battles that besiege Believers everyday.
The word of God reminds us that these daily battles will occur because Satan brings them against us. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Where for take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6: 12-13)
Believers who are attacked because of their attempts to do right should remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
See, when you are trying to do right and meet frustration, you are in a Godly battle! Don’t throw in the towel! That battle is not yours; it’s the Lord’s!
Those who see a battle coming should follow Jehoshaphat’s second example, don’t throw in the towel; go down in prayer before the battle. When Judah prayed to God, it was not a “can” prayer filled with metaphors and flowery words. It was one of those “driving in your car, stalled at the red light in deep thought prayers!” They really talked to God!
Through out the Old Testament, Kings would call in the prophets seeking a word from God about the battles they were about to fight. If God said, “no” the wise king would avoid conflict, but, the unwise kings would move into battle anyway. I imagine Jehoshaphat learned from the life of Ahab. God warned Ahab not to move into battle, but Ahab did it anyway and lost his life. Having observed what happened to Ahab, Jehoshaphat knew he would be better off listening to God before going into battle.
When we pray God will give us the answer. God will tell us how the battle is to be fought, and if we have to fight at all!
· In prayer, we may learn that, we must be like Joshua and march around the walls of Jericho!
· In prayer, we may learn that, we must be like Gideon and face large numbers with just a handful!
· In pray, we may learn that, we must be like David and slay giants without a sword and shield!
Then there are the times, when God may answer us and say…don’t do anything! Like Moses standing at the Red Sea, He may say, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord! Don’t say a word! Don’t raise a sword! Don’t put up a defense! All of your battles are my battles, but this battle is all mine!
That’s the time when God says be still till “I make your enemies your footstool!” That’s the time when God prepares a table for you in the presence of your enemies!
Finally, every Believer facing difficulties, frustrations and problems for God’s sake should not throw in the towel, but prepare for the victory! When Jehoshaphat heard from God he prepared for the victory. Israel prepared for the victory, they even wrote a victory song!
It doesn’t matter if God fights the battle for us, or whether God fights the battle with us, those who fight in the name of the Lord are guaranteed the victory! That’s what Romans 8:37 means when it says, “…we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Before I go to my seat let me ask you this:
- Are you facing a time of trouble? Don’t throw in the towel, because, “…in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion. In the secrets of His tabernacle shall He hide me!”
- Are you feeling helpless? Don’t throw in the towel! Say like David, “I will lift mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord who made the heaven and the earth!”
- Are you feeling alone? Don’t throw in the towel! Jesus said in John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you!”
- Are you feeling trapped with no way to turn? Don’t throw in the towel, because the Lord will make away out of no way!
- Are you feeling weighed down by a heavy load? Don’t throw in the towel! Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them right there. Jesus said, “…my yoke is easy and my burden is light!”
- Are you feeling overwhelmed by the odds?” Don’t throw in the towel! I hear the word declaring, “He that overcometh, shall inherit all things!”
Do you feel like giving up and just want to throw up your hands! Don’t throw in the towel! Instead of throwing up your hands, say, “Father I stretch my hands to thee, no other help I know. If thou withdraw thyself from me, whether shall I go!”
Don’t throw in the towel, but get ready to praise the Lord! Israel praised the Lord for the victory that was on the way! Praise God for the blessing that is on the way! When praises go up, the blessings come down!
In good times and bad times, praise the Lord! When tears roll from your eyes, praise the Lord! You don’t have to wait until the battle is over…you can shout now!
· Shout because God is still on the throne!
· Shout because God still hears and answers prayer!
· Shout because God sent His Son to command the outcome of our battles!
· Shout because Jesus demonstrated that we might have our Garden of Gethsemane's!
We may have times when we are nailed to the cross! We may have times when it looks like we are defeated and buried in our graves! Shout because when the battle is over…we will rise again by the power of God!
- Don’t throw in the towel, call on Jesus!
- Don’t throw in the towel, trust in the Lord!
Sing the words of that old song, “I’m on the battlefield for my Lord. I promised Him that I would serve Him till I die. I’m on the battlefield for my lord!”