We are surrounded..."Good, they can't get away"

Obviously, the title is not my quote and I can't remember the origin this minute.
Read this morning about the battle of Israel against Ammon and Maachah (the hired army of Syrians)

Ch 19:12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
1Ch 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

These are the words of Joab to his brother Abishai...
These men and their army were placed into this circumstance without any choice in the matter. David was not going to stand by after the Ammonites shamed his servant ambassadors and so he sent his army on the march.

God sent His ambassador Jesus Christ to the earth out of love and kindness - as David did in sending his ambassadors to Hanun in this passage. The response was the same - the Ambassador was treated with mocking and abuse and sent away (crucifixion). The response of the King is the promise that He will not allow that and all those that are not on the side of the Ambassador has a judgment that awaits.

We, my friends are in the position of Joab and Abishai. We are sent as the initial wave of this battle against darkness. We have the authority and direction of the King and ultimately the King is sovereign over the outcome. Yet in a physical sense, the KING of Kings has not yet mounted His white horse and initiated the final slaughter of the enemy - rather He has entrusted and equipped us to continue the message of the Ambassador while being well warned that the enemy is all around and that this is a war of great magnitude.

Is our response today to fight or run?
Is it to help each other in battle should we begin to falter as good brothers or just worry about the frontline of our own battle?
Is our attitude one of courage knowing that safety is of the Lord and that He is to be feared and not man?
Are we going to behave ourselves valiantly for our people? (my spiritual application for our people would clearly be those for whom we are to be a witness and testimony - do they see us as spotless, blameless, sons of God, without rebuke, shining as lights in the world?)
Lastly, do we have faith in our God that He will do what is right in His sight - fighting on our behalf?

• The strategy of God may be to allow us to suffer some casualties of suffering, persecution or tribulation etc in his plan to show "our people" - (the lost) how His soldiers can overcome any adversity with His help

Let us today be courageous and valiant for our God and watch Him sieze the victory in due time!

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world!