The battle is the Lord’s — Angus Buchan

A monthly column by farmer, preacher and writer for Jesus, Angus Buchan

“Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” — 1 Samuel 17:47 (NKJV)

That is exactly what the young shepherd boy, David, said to that ugly giant, Goliath. He went on to say “And the Lord will give you into our hands.”

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The battle is not mine or yours, but the Lords. Whatever issue you are up against at this moment remember the golden rule is to do your best and then leave the rest in God’s capable hands, and of course in order to do that you need to have faith in God.

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” — Mark 11:22 (NKJV)

And that comes quite simply by spending time in the presence of God. Some of us need to get up earlier in the morning, we need to spend more time in the presence of God before we start the day’s work and I can guarantee, because it has happened in my own life, we will farm much more efficiently and more effectively.

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I just wish I had learnt this lesson as a young farmer. Instead of trying to do something and having to do it six times in order to get it right, while spending time with the Lord and realising exactly who is in control and that I am a mere soldier in God’s army, not the general.

By obeying God’s instructions I found that I got it right normally the first time. The enormity of the challenge in your life can sometimes weigh you down to such a degree that it will actually destroy you. That is exactly what happened in my own life before I met the Lord Jesus Christ. I got myself into such a state.

I was concerned about the weather which I can do nothing about, I was concerned about my finances because of the economy, which I can do nothing about, I was concerned about the labour situation in our country which I can do nothing about, I was concerned about the interest rate on monies borrowed which again I can do nothing about.

When I realised all I had to do is to do a good day’s work, to work according to Gods principles, to honour those who work for me, to respect those that I borrowed money from and to treat my fellow man as I had him to treat me. Then all of a sudden I realised the rest was in God’s hands.

That young shepherd boy realised his limitations, but when he saw the giant he wasn’t actually looking at the giant that he had to do battle against, he was looking and focusing on the giant killer, who was standing next to him.

Instead of becoming the warrior who could do nothing in his own strength he became an adoring spectator as he watched God use the situation for His glory.

Robert Murray McCheyne was a great Scottish revivalist and he said: “Rather than have been an instrument of the Lord, all I was, was an adoring spectator.” That was his comment when God used him to start a great revival in the North Eastern city of Dundee, in Bonnie Scotland.

I want to encourage you to do your best and remember that the battle is the Lord’s. You will find your farming experience to be a lot more pleasurable, enjoyable and exciting as you see God work for you.

God bless