The Battle Is the Lord’s - Your Daily Forward Devotional

The Battle Is the Lord’s 

July 23

Read Revelation 19:14-16 (ESV)

And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Reflect

How will Jesus strike down the nations?

How did God create the world? In Genesis 1, we repeatedly see the words, “And God said…”. God spoke the world into existence. Psalm 33:6 and 9 confirms this: “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their hosts...For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God…”.

The Word of God is powerful. What He says goes. What He commands happens. He can speak things into existence from nothing (Romans 4:17). And in today’s verses, we see the power of His Word in action once again—this time to judge the world.

Yesterday, we read of John’s vision of heaven opening up and Jesus coming down from heaven on a white horse to judge and make war. Today we see the armies of heaven, also on white horses, wearing perfectly white fine linen, following Him. This heavenly army is made up of Old Testament saints, the church of Jesus Christ, believers from the tribulation, and His holy angels. Friends, that includes you and me! Just as the old Sunday school song says, “I’m in the Lord’s army!”

But did you notice that we appear to be unarmed? We ride into battle behind Him on white horses and clothed in fine white linen. But the only weapon mentioned is a sharp sword that comes from His mouth (verse 15) symbolizing the Word of God. Jesus will strike down the nations and execute perfect justice by His Word alone. We don’t even have to fight. The battle is His. We just join in the victory!

This isn’t the first time in Scripture that the Word of God has been described as a “sword.” Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

In Ephesians 6, Paul writes about putting on the whole armor of God and only one weapon is listed. “...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

Friends, we are in the Lord’s army but we can rest assured that the battle is His alone. It will be our honor to ride behind Him as He goes before us in complete victory over the prince of this world and our enemies. His Word will win the war! In the meantime, we can join the spiritual battle. The only weapon we need is the Word of God.

Pray

Lord, Your Word is powerful and true. By it You made the world and by it You will judge the world. While I wait for Your return, help me to fight my spiritual battles with the weapon of Your Word. Thank You for the promise of victory in You! Amen.

~ Pastor Nat Crawford

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