God’s Victory for Us Without Our Battle
But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God. I will not save them by bow or by sword or by war or by horses or by horsemen.” (Hos 1:7 ESV)
God Himself will deliver His people in the greatness of His mercy, but He will not do it by the ordinary means.
Men are slow to render to God the glory due to His name.
If they go to battle with sword and bow and win the victory, they ought to praise their God; yet they do not, but begin to magnify their own right arm and glory in their horses and horsemen.
For this reason our God often determines to save His people without second means, that all the honor may be to Himself alone.
Look, then, my heart, to the Lord alone and not to man. Expect to see God all the more clearly when there is no one else to look to. If I have no friend, no adviser, no one at my back, let me be none the less confident if I can feel that the Lord Himself is on my side; yea, let me be glad if He gives victory without battle, as the text seems to imply.
“Why do I ask for horses and horsemen if Jehovah Himself has mercy upon me and lifts up
His arm for my defense! Why need I bow or sword if God will save? Let me trust and not be afraid from this day forth and for evermore.” C.H.Spurgeon.
Read 2 Chronicles 20 to see God’s victory for us without our battle.
The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
(Psalm.46:7-11)