#6. Prayer and Deliverance (I Chron. v. 20).


Trust in the Lord is not confined to one aspect of experience, but, as the Scripture itself enjoins, should be exhibited “at all times” (Psa. lxii. 8), and not only at “what time I am afraid” (Psa. lvi. 3). As we have seen in the case of Hezekiah under the threats and taunts of Rabshakeh and Sennacherib, it is nevertheless true to experience that times of great peril or distress are often occasions when trust rises to its supreme place.

“They were helped . . . . . for they cried to God in the battle, and He was intreated of them; because they put their trust in Him” (I Chron. v. 20).

These words are written, not of those who were defenceless, aged, infirm, or otherwise bereft of all external help, but of men who could be described as “Valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with the bow, and skilful in war” (verse 18). The expression “Valiant men” is given in the margin as “Sons of valour”, and the phrase “Mighty men of valour” is constantly used as a description of famous men of arms who figured in Israel’s history. A man may be fearless yet hopelessly outclassed in the matter of skill or equipment, but it was not so with these men of valour; they were “able” to bear buckler and sword, they could “shoot” with the bow, and were “skilful in war”, an expression that covers discipline, instruction and familiarity with the arts of war. Men so equipped and so trained might be excused if they felt that crying to the Lord in battle was a thing to be ashamed of, yet here, in the record of battle, it seems to have come as the crown and climax of their previous preparation. Recounting the peculiar experiences of the past, the Psalmist sings:

“We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work Thou didst in their days, in the times of old . . . . . they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but Thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thy countenance, because Thou hadst a favour unto them. Thou art my King, O God; command deliverances for Jacob. Through Thee will we push down our enemies, through Thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me” (Psa. xliv. 1-6).

In all these things there is need to strike a balance. Trust in the Lord does not mean foolhardiness, exposure to unnecessary risks, bravado, or even the failure to take reasonable precautions, measures, or equipment that is to be avoided. Fear has been implanted as a danger signal, and need not necessarily be antagonistic to faith. For instance, we lost count of the number of times we have had to break off the writing of this series and take cover during the recent war. The case of Noah is a classic example of the combination of faith and fear, trust and reasonable care.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house” (Heb. xi. 7).

So it is written of these sons of Reuben, “They were helped . . . . . for they cried . . . . . He was intreated . . . . . they put their trust in Him”.

This however is not all. God is a God of truth, and is righteous and holy. However perfect the equipment, the discipline, the valour; however fervent the cry, and however deep the trust, one other thing is wanted to complete the case. “There fell down many slain, because the war was of God” (I Chron. v. 22).

Private quarrels, the invasion of the rights of others, the war prompted by greed or vainglory, cannot thus be entitled, nor come under this pledge of deliverance. For us, to-day, these terms, both of battle and equipment, need translating into their spiritual equivalents. We to-day wrestle, not with flesh and blood, but with foes who are spiritual; the weapons of our warfare are spiritual also, and in this battle prayer and trust are essential. The girdle is truth; the helmet, salvation; the breastplate, righteousness; the shield, faith; and the sword, the Word of God. We too must “put on” the Divine equipment; we, too, must be men of valour, and then, in the battle which we know to be “of God”, our cry will be heard, help will be forthcoming, and He will be entreated of us, for we too shall be found trusting in Him.

(From The Berean Trust, Volume 33, page 213).

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