2 Chronicles 13:8-12: a reflection

8“Now you intend to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David. You are a great multitude, and the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods are with you. 9Haven’t you driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves according to the ways of the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may be a priest of those who are no gods. 10“But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests serving the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work. 11They burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also set the show bread in order on the pure table, and care for the gold lamp stand with its lamps, to burn every evening; for we keep the instruction of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken him. 12Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. Children of Israel, don’t fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers; for you will not prosper.”

As Abijah of Judah faces the far larger army of Jeroboam and Israel, he calls out to them a warning: God is with us at our head; do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not prosper. Israel had forsaken God and set up idols; and Abijah warns them that in opposing Judah, they are really opposing God, and that to fight against God is to fight a battle they cannot win. Do not fight against the LORD, he says; you will not prosper.

Notice the warning: do not fight against the LORD, for you will not prosper. Israel, in their unfaithfulness, were setting themselves against God; and Abijah warns them of the futility of it. To fight against God is to fight a battle that cannot be won; those who set themselves against the LORD will not prosper, for they oppose the One who cannot be overcome. It is futile, and worse than futile, to set oneself against God.

That warning is worth taking to heart, for we can find ourselves, in various ways, fighting against God, resisting his will, setting ourselves against what he commands or intends. But to fight against God is futile; we cannot win a battle against the One who cannot be overcome, and to try is to labor against ourselves. When you find yourself resisting God, setting yourself against his will or his commands, recognize the futility of it: do not fight against the LORD, for you will not prosper. It is a losing battle to oppose God; those who resist his will do not finally prosper, but labor against the One who cannot be overcome. Rather than fighting against God, resisting his will, yield to him; for to set yourself against God is futile, a battle you cannot win. Do not fight against the LORD, but submit to him; opposing God brings not prosperity but ruin, while yielding to him is the way of true good. Cease striving against God, and submit to the One against whom no one prospers.

Lord, as Abijah faced the far larger army of Israel, he warned them: God is with us at our head; do not fight against the LORD, for you will not prosper. Israel had forsaken you and set up idols, and in opposing Judah they were really opposing you, fighting a battle they could not win. Show me the warning: do not fight against you, for those who do will not prosper. To fight against you is to fight a battle that cannot be won; those who set themselves against you oppose the One who cannot be overcome. Take that warning to my heart, for I can find myself, in various ways, fighting against you, resisting your will, setting myself against what you command or intend. But to fight against you is futile; I cannot win a battle against the One who cannot be overcome, and to try is to labor against myself. When I find myself resisting you, setting myself against your will or commands, help me recognize the futility of it: do not fight against the LORD, for you will not prosper. Rather than fighting against you, resisting your will, help me yield to you; for to set myself against you is futile, a battle I cannot win. Help me cease striving against you, Lord, and submit to you, for opposing you brings not prosperity but ruin, while yielding to you is the way of true good. Help me submit to you rather than fight against you.