God never loses a battle.

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When Jacob's descendants were enslaved by the Egyptians, some might have said that God was to blame for their misfortune, perhaps even that He had forsaken them.

When Babylon rose against Israel and took thousands captive, some might question whether or not God was really capable of being 100% reliable and trustworthy.

When the apostle Paul was stoned by an angry mob after preaching the Gospel and drug out of the city left for dead, some might have asked God why He let that happen to a man who was obeying Jesus' command to preach the Gospel.

When the Kentucky county clerk was put in prison for not signing a same-sex marriage license, some probably questioned if God was as strong as He claimed to be.

After all, does God really lose battles like that?

I believe that many believers today, including myself, are questioning God.  We claim with our words that we don't question Him, but our actions prove otherwise.  We are not sure if we can trust Him, seeing how, today, Christian principles are mocked and even Christians themselves are persecuted and beheaded.  It would appear God were losing the fight.

So what is a Christian to do?

Follow the example of Jesus!

First of all, Jesus was not silent.  He spoke as one who had authority (Matthew 7:29) about the statutes of God - the things He loved and the things He hated.  Yet beyond that, He walked in such a way that gave Him authority to speak.  He didn't just say to love your neighbor; He literally did love His neighbor (Matthew 14:14, 15:32; Mark 6:34; John 3:16).  He didn't just say that He didn't come into the world to judge, but He literally extended grace to the guilty (John 8:1-11).

Yet I know that in my own life I have believed this lie that Christians need to be quiet.  After all, Jesus was quiet when He was led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7).  He did not open His mouth.  "He could have called 10,000 angles", our songs resonate, but He didn't.  But why didn't He?

It was not because He was afraid.  And this, my friends, is where the distinction becomes a heavy line that distinguishes our Lord from us.  I am quiet because I am afraid.  Jesus was quiet because He was obedient.  Philippians 2:5-11 says,

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.  Therefore, God gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow - on earth, above the earth, and below the earth - and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

I believe it is time that Christians start trusting God at His Word.

I believe it is time I start trusting God at His Word.

Christians who keep quiet are living a defeated life.  This is not because being quiet is wrong in itself.  In fact, the Bible commends those who keep quiet:

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.  Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent" (Proverbs 17:27-28).

 "My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).

 "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.  To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, they they do not know that they are doing evil.  Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth.  Therefore, let your words be few" (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2).

But the reason for silence is the problem.  We are, more often than not, quiet because we are scared to speak, not because we are acting in obedience to God.  I struggle with this just much (and probably more) than the Christian next to me.

God's Word also speaks strongly and boldly on proclaiming the truth of God's love, as well as putting fear behind us:

"For God gave you a spirit not of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline (a sound mind)" (I Timothy 1:7).

"The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1).

 "Go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:18-20).

God is trustworthy.  We can speak His Words with authority because He is faithful.  We can confidently lead others to Jesus by what we do because Jesus is with us.  We can boldly stand and not cower when our beliefs are under attack because God never loses a battle.

In closing, read the words of Jephthah, found in the book of Judges:

"The Lord, the Judge, decide this day between the people of Israel and the people of Ammon" (Judges 11:27).

This one verse, in its context, is an immense doctrinal statement in regards to the trustworthiness of God.  Jephthah, before he went into battle against the Ammonites who were oppressing Israel, said boldly to the people that God would decide the outcome of the battle.  What a man of great understanding and confidence in God!  This is faith put into practice.

Not only does Jephthah say boldly that God will decide the outcome, but he walks confidently into battle knowing that God will decide the victor...

... just as He took a bleak situation and made Jacob's descendants into a mighty nation in the chains of Egypt...

... just as He saved a remnant for Himself out of the captivity of Daniel and his brothers in Babylon...

... just as He used Paul's sufferings to further His kingdom...

... and just as He took care of the county clerk who did not sign the same-sex marriage license...

... God is always victorious.

Walk in that victory today, dear Christian.  If God has placed a task in front of you to accomplish, don't keep quiet in fear.  Instead, walk forward, speaking and acting boldly in obedience to the One who has called you.

• Maybe you need to extend grace to a young mother who recently aborted a baby.
• Maybe you need to leave your nativity scene up on your desk at work, even though several coworkers say it offends them.
• Maybe you need to stand up to a coworker who is stealing money from the company.
• Maybe you need to call out your brother for his pornography addiction.

Whatever it is, know this: God holds the victory in His hands.  If you act in accordance with His will, He will never lead you to defeat.  Even if your boldness leads to death - as many martyrs have proven throughout history - God never loses a battle.  You will see Him in all His glory, if you stand firm to the end (Matthew 24:13).


"Stand strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!" (Ephesians 6:10).