Exodus 14:10-14
If you haven’t yet realized, there’s a fight going on in this world. There’s a fight going on in for you in your life. There’s a constant fight and a constant struggle within you every day. There’s a huge battle going on out there.
And that fight is between good versus evil and truth versus lies.
You can see this fight all throughout the Bible. We need to open our eyes and learn more about this fight. When we have the Bible, we will know what to do.
Who Is The Enemy?
So, you need to know the enemy. Who is the enemy? Who is fighting against you constantly? Who is trying to take you down? Who is trying to get you to do wrong in your life? Is it all the people out there? Who is it?
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The enemy isn’t the people, the flesh and blood, who are around you every day. Some people have this hatred towards other people. They want to fight the flesh and blood, they want to shoot the people, and they want to kill other people.
But the Bible is telling you clearly:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” I’m not here at this church to go and pick fights with people who are flesh and blood.
The Bible says, “But against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
I have more important battles to fight than against flesh and blood. I don’t want anything to do with that battle. I don’t want anything to do with physical fights with flesh and blood. I don’t want to fight someone. I don’t want to argue with someone. I don’t want drama with any flesh and blood.
Why?
We Have A Bigger Fight to Fight
Because that’s not why I’m here. That’s not why we’re here. We’ve got bigger fights to fight. We’ve got spiritual battles to take on. And, since we don’t have that spiritual power on our own to fight those fights, who do we need? We need the Lord God Almighty.
Exodus 14:10-11
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
Exodus 14:12-13
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
See, the children of Israel said it would have been better to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.
Hey, in this life, sometimes you’re going to think it’s easier to just take the easy path. Don’t work hard. Stay at home. Drink alcohol. Do drugs. It’s just easier that way. And I’ll tell you right now. Following Jesus Christ isn’t easy in this world. The way of the world is easier, but the way of this world will kill you. The easy way isn’t the right way.
Getting up and coming to church isn’t easy. Working hard every day and fighting for God isn’t easy. It would be much easier to play video games every day. It would be much easier to watch basketball, baseball, and football every day. It would be much easier to just do what I want.
Evil Is The Easier Way But Leads to Death
It would be easier than fighting through this tough life. And that’s what most people choose to do. They choose to just go back into Egypt and not serve the Lord. But look at verse 13 right there.
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”
Listen, once you’re saved by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, you aren’t alone. The Lord is with you. I’m here to tell you to fear not. See the salvation of the Lord. Watch how the Lord will save you. Let’s see the next verse.
Exodus 14:14
The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Now make sure you see that, and definitely make sure you believe that. When a fight comes to me, I’ll fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord shall fight for me. And I’ll simply hold my peace. I’ll be quiet. God will take care of it.
But listen please. If you want God to fight for you, you need to do what He’s asked you to do. You need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, be saved, get baptized in water, come to church, read the Bible, study the Bible, pray every day, and stay away from sin.
Elisha was a prophet of God who did as the Lord asked.
Elisha helped the king of Israel to escape the king of Syria several times. The king of Syria found out that it was Elisha that was helping the king of Israel escape. The king of Syria wants Elisha.
2 Kings 6:13-14
And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. 14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
Fear Not, Stand Still, The Lord Shall Fight For You
Elisha and his servant are surrounded. What did we just learn in Exodus 14, though? “Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord shall fight for us, and we shall hold our peace.” Hey, when we’re God’s people and doing what He’s asked us to do, fear not. I want you to see what happens here.
2 Kings 6:15
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
The servant sees that a great host has surrounded them. Horses and chariots against Elisha and his servant. The servant is like, “What are we going to do?”
Hey, there’s going to be times in your life when you feel as if you’re surrounded and everyone is against you. But you have help. You have the Lord. Don’t ever forget that. You have us here. Don’t ever forget that. We’re with the Lord. We were sent here by the Lord to help you. You’re surrounded. You can’t seem to get away from the evil. What does Elisha, a prophet of God, say next?
2 Kings 6:16
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
I want you to take a very close look. Elisha says the same thing Moses said. “FEAR NOT.” Hey, listen, I’m telling you right now. You’re saved now. You’re a child of God. And just like you don’t like people messing with your children, God don’t put up with it either. Hey, you’re a child of God now. You’re here in this church in God’s house. You’re trying. God knows.
Fear not. But look closely there at the perfect word of God. Elisha tells his servant why he has nothing to fear. He says, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
And the servant didn’t understand. There’s Elisha and himself. There’s two of them there. And against them are an entire army with weapons. How in the world is there more on our side?
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Do you know what we see here? We see the spiritual world in this Scripture. We can’t go out there, look around, and see the spiritual world. But it’s here. We just can’t see it.
There Are More Fighting For Us Than For Them
The Lord allowed Elisha to see. And Elisha prayed that the young man, his servant, could see. And what did they see? “Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
God’s army was there with his prophet Elisha. The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. Where were they? ROUND ABOUT ELISHA. God’s army is there to protect Elisha.
“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
Please understand that. Stick with us here, and you’re on the winning side. There’s a hymn that I love, called “On the Winning Side.” Listen to these words.
Once I drifted out in sin, had no hope nor joy within,
And my soul was burdened down with pride;
Then my Savior came along and he showed me I was wrong and
Now I know I’m on the winning side
From the straight and narrow way I was drifting every day,
Out upon the waters deep and wide;
But it all is over now, glory light is on my brow,
And my soul is on the winning side
I will never have a fear, for my Lord is ever near,
And in him so often I confide;
He’s the keeper of my soul since I gave him full control,
And he placed me on the winning side
I’m on the winning side, yes I’m on the winning side,
Out in sin no more will I abide,
I’ve enlisted in the fight for the cause of truth and right
Praise the Lord I’m on the winning side
That’s a great song to remember as you live this life. “I’ve enlisted in the fight for the cause of truth and right.” And I’m in this fight to the death. There is no quitting. And I’m not fighting against flesh and blood. Elisha didn’t fight those men. He asked the Lord to blind them. The Lord did as Elisha asked. Elisha saved the lives of those men that came after him that day. He fed them with bread and water. And then he sent them away.
They could have died that day in a fight against God’s army. They would have lost.
God has his army of angels. And he has more than the enemy. We aren’t fighting against flesh and blood. We’re fighting against spiritual wickedness. There are evil angels out there. But God’s army of angels is bigger and better and more powerful because they have God’s power with them.
When you’re saved, you become spiritual. God gives you His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. You have to remember this. The Holy Spirit guides us. He tells us where to go. He sends people to us.
The Spirit of God Will Guide You If You Allow
For example, Nathan and I were soul winning. We were upstairs at apartments on a Monday. We weren’t getting anyone to listen. Something within tells me to go over to different apartments that we had seen earlier.
So we just stopped where we were at and went over to the other apartments just a couple minutes down the road. We were able to get two souls saved almost immediately, Jason and Charlene.
We listen to the Spirit within us. He’s guiding us. When we go out to preach the Gospel, this is the spiritual fight. We are fighting for the souls of the people. And when we go out from here doing the work of God, He is with us. The Holy Spirit is with us. Flesh and blood can’t touch us if the Spirit of God doesn’t want us touched. Understand that right now.
Psalm 91:9-12
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
God has His angels with us. I do believe that God put some of his angels out here in West Louisville to help us. I believe they are there. “For he shall give his angles charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Yes, that’s prophecy of Jesus Christ, but I also know His angels are here for us.
Psalm 91:13-16
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Fear Nothing But the Lord God Almighty
Hey, God says thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder, the young lion and the dragon. We should be afraid of nothing but the Lord.
Psalm 34:6-8
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Look, the Scriptures say that the angel of the Lord camps around them that fear Him and delivers them. Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord. Hey, the Lord shall fight for you. When we go out into this world to fight the spiritual battles by preaching the Gospel, the Lord is fighting for us. When we fear Him by doing what He asks, He is there fighting for us.
His angels are with us. They are ministering spirits to us. We just can’t see them.
Matthew 18:10
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
All the little ones in here right now have angels watching. Don’t offend the little ones. Don’t despise the little ones. Those angels simply have to tell the Father in heaven. Take heed. Be very careful. Don’t hurt those little ones or make God angry. Don’t mess with God. Don’t mess with His children. “Their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
The Lord God Almighty will fight for you when you fear Him and follow His commandments.
Here’s another one of my favorite examples in the Bible. You’ve got the king of Assyria going up against the king of Judah. People who worship false gods vs. people who worship the true God.
2 Kings 18:17
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rab-shakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field.
King Hezekiah Was Great Because He Trusted in the Lord
King Hezekiah is the king of Judah. He was a great king because he trusted in the Lord. You can be a great man or a great woman by simply trusting in the Lord as you live your life.
Next, in this story, Rab-shakeh begins to mock Hezekiah. Let me show you what this man, sent by the king of Assyria, says to the Jews.
2 Kings 18:29-30
Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: 30 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Hey, people are going to do the same thing to you. You’ll tell people that you’re going to church now. You’ve been saved by Jesus Christ. You’re doing good. And they will mock you. They’ll say, “Hey, don’t let Josh, Nathan, and True Words Baptist Church deceive you. They can’t help you. They can’t get you away from all the sin in this area.”
“Don’t let them make you trust in the Lord, saying the Lord will surely deliver us.” That’s what people are going to say to you. They will try to bring you down. But remember, we aren’t fighting against flesh and blood but spiritual darkness.
Hezekiah hears what the king of Assyria is saying. Hezekiah sends for the prophet Isaiah. Good move. When you need some help, go find a preacher of God’s words.
2 Kings 19:2-4
And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. 4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.
King Hezekiah has this mighty nation of Assyria coming up against him. He knows he’s in trouble. He’s looking for God’s help. That’s what you should do. Go to God for help. Watch what Isaiah says back to them.
2 Kings 19:6-7
And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
Fear Not and See the Salvation of the Lord
The words of Isaiah match the words of Moses that we saw in Exodus 14 and the words of Elisha in 2 Kings 6. Isaiah says, “Be not afraid of the word which thou hast heard.” Hey, fear not! The Lord says he will send a blast upon him. He will die in his own land. He won’t even die fighting against you. He’ll go back and die in his own land.
So Hezekiah gets threatened some more. Hezekiah goes to the Lord.
2 Kings 19:14-16
And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
This is what you should do when you receive great trouble in your life. You’re in a fight for your life. Go to the Lord. Hezekiah prayed before the Lord. The Lord responds.
2 Kings 19:32-34
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. 34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
God says he isn’t coming close to you. And when God says something, mark it down. Done. And this is what I want to show you. When other people reproach the living God, they should expect circumstances. Don’t mess with God. Why in the world would you want to go up against your Creator?
2 Kings 19:35-36
And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
185,000 Dead Assyrians Who Provoked the Lord
An hundred fourscore and five thousand equals 185,000 dead Assyrians who came up against God’s people.
2 Kings 19:36-37
So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. 37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
He’s worshipping a false God. This is wickedness. A false god isn’t alive. He list his life to his own sons. Imagine that. That’s horrible. Don’t be on that side.
We go out into this world and we simply do what God asks us to do. We are fighting on the front line when we go out preaching the Gospel. This is a spiritual battle. You want to be on God’s side.
Be saved, get baptized, come to church, read your Bible, pray to God, walk in the footsteps of Jesus, preach the Gospel with us, follow the commandments, repent of sin, and God takes care of the rest.
I want to end with a set of Scriptures. And remember God’s promises are always good.
Exodus 15:3
The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Deuteronomy 1:30
The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
Deuteronomy 3:22
Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.
I could keep going for a long time with Scriptures that say the same thing. Remember to do what God asks you to do, and then He does the fighting for you. That’s why you want to be here and keep coming here. The Lord God Almighty will fight for us. That’s what you want in your life.
Fear not, stand still, see the salvation of the Lord, the Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. What a great God we love and serve.
Let’s pray.
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