1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle Belongs to God

The Battle Belongs to God

"All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's. ..." (1 Samuel 17:47, NIV)

Having small home fellowship groups on the reservation where we serve has both positive and negative aspects. They are very much like a typical Sunday church service, but they leave room for open discussions. People can share and ask questions in a safe environment.

Many times, this leads to questions regarding the trials people face in their lives past, present and future. Sometimes this proves to be very challenging. People go through terrible things in life and many times look to us to “fix it.” They want and need answers to the big question of “Why did this or that happen to me?” We realize just how human we are, because we can’t “fix it”—only God can. Our responsibility is to point each and every person to Jesus! Our battles belong to Him. He has given us His Holy Word as our weapon.

As we focus on Christmas, we look to the manger and see the Son of God as a baby, sent to earth to save us. He came to redeem us from the snare of Satan. He was sent to do battle for us and defeat the enemy of the world, not with human weapons but by laying down His very life for us. He came to “fix it” and did so with love so deep that we can only begin to comprehend it.

This season, we want to express what a blessing it is to serve in Native ministry. Although we at Lutheran Indian Ministries serve in many different ministry sites across the United States, in some ways we face the same unique challenges. The prayer support we receive from you is so important in dealing with issues we face each and every day.

Lord, quiet our minds this Advent and remind us of why You came down to us, so we can live out our lives before You with assurance and peace, knowing You won every battle we face. Amen.

- Deaconess Cathy Benzler (Cherokee), Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Learn more about the work of our Hope House ministry with the people of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.