The 9-Step Battle Plan For Spiritual Warfare
P.S. If you're not going through something right now, I would wager that you've just come out of something or you're about to go into something. In either case, I'm praying for you, too.
I just finished half a dozen books on the Revolutionary War era, and I'm absolutely fascinated by General Washington's battle plans. They weren't conventional - they couldn't be. They weren't fancy - he didn't know how to be. And they weren't always structured or well executed - his soldiers weren't professionals. The Army and their commander had so much going against them, but it worked. Our nation is who we are today because of those battle plans.
The Old Testament is full of equally unconventional, simple, unstructured, but always executed battle plans. Israel spent most of its time then fighting somebody, and King Hezekiah was no exception. As we start reading in 2 Chronicles 32, the Assyrians and King Sennacherib had decided it was time to take Judah for themselves.
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. v1
The enemy wasn't even sort of their size, their skill level, or looking for a good fight. Assyria was coming to destroy Hezekiah's entire nation, so he set to work with a battle plan that we need to take note of for our own personal battles.
And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 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. 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? v2-4
1. He took counsel with his generals and soldiers to gather as much knowledge and wisdom as he could. When we're in spiritual battle, we need input from good, godly people who have been where we are now and can give their expertise on how to win.
2. Hezekiah had his army plug the fountains and brook so they wouldn't flow through the enemy camp. Why offer them the nourishment and refreshment they needed so they could come attack the Israelite cities? We need to squash the devil's efforts against us from the very beginning, not giving him even the slightest foothold in our lives. This means denying him access to our hearts, our minds, or our emotions. Cut him off!
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. v5
3. Hezekiah took the time to strengthen himself before the battle got started. He knew he wouldn't be a good king, commander-in-chief, or godly example to his people if he was weak and weary before the fighting ever began. We're allowed to take care of ourselves. We have permission to rest, eat well, exercise, and meditate on Scripture so we're physically and mentally ready for war.
4. He took the time to repair walls that were useless and put up new ones. What good is a strong army or great weapons if the enemy can just step into the city undeterred? If our minds and hearts are full of Scripture and our hearts are shielded by God's promises, it's proof that we've taken the time to shore up all the walls around us that keep out invaders.
5. Then he made weapons and shields, not just enough but in abundance. There was going to be a fight, and he wasn't about to go in unarmed. His army was going to be protected by a multitude of shields and be armed with more than enough darts for victory. If we're carrying the darts and shield of God's word into spiritual battle, our faith will always come out on top.
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, 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: 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. v6-8
6. Hezekiah surrounded himself with good, faithful men. His captains of war were experienced warriors, and when he brought them together for all the right reasons. We may be strong spiritually on our own, but we're always better in the company of like-believers.
7. He encouraged them with the truth of God's promises. The reminder that there was no reason to fear because God would be going with them into battle was enough to strengthen them mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. A great leader knows how to get to the heart of the matter, and Hezekiah already knew that God would be fighting this battle for them.
8. The people rested on Hezekiah's words because they were God's words. While some of their comfort came from their king and his position, what mattered most was that he spoke God truth and that resonated with them. Spending time in Scripture and sharing what we find there will always strength our own heart and the hearts of those around us.
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. v20
And finally...
9. He prayed. It was that simple. There was a battle coming, and he turned to the Master General of his life. Prayer should always be our first priority in spiritual battle - before the fight begins, while we're going through it, and as we see the end nearing.
The result was nothing less than a miracle.
And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side. And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. v21-23
In the end, Israel didn't pick up a single one of those darts. God had already arranged to defeat Assyria from the inside out. God took care of the enemy army while they were still in their own camp, and upon his return, Sennacherib's own children killed him while he was in the house of his god (little g).
When we put these same nine steps together into a battle plan for spiritual warfare, we are promised the presence of God with us in the fight. Our outcome may be different and the path to get there may not look the same, but we can rest assured that the enemy won't gain a foothold when our God is involved.
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