And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15
You are travelling through a hostile world. You are constantly assailed by enemies, the elements, and the world itself. You have no real allies. You are weak, vulnerable, and alone. In the distance you can see a place of tranquil refuge. A place that is home to a mighty king. You cannot reach the king, or the place of refuge on your own. The attacks keep coming, and you are discouraged. Suddenly you see a rider on a white horse cutting through the chaos, heading toward you from the refuge. The rider is untouched, and he bears the scars from his own battle on his hands, feet, and side. The rider reaches you, and tells you he is a prince, the son of the king. The king has sent him. He asks you if you want help. You say yes. The prince says that you only have to accept his help, and believe in him, and you will receive his help, and will indeed be saved. You accept and believe in him.
Immediately you are surrounded by a force of mighty warriors who are fighting your battles for you. You move forward toward the refuge much more easily now. It is still a battle, and you are sometimes still wounded, but you are moving forward, and becoming stronger through the prince and his army. You are opposed at every step, yet you are growing more confident of victory through the prince with each step. The closer you get to the refuge, the stronger you feel. Occasionally you have doubts and become afraid, but the prince never lets you down. Finally you pass into the refuge of the mighty king. You experience a peace you have never known. The prince is seated at the right hand of the king. You know you will never face any trial again.
This fallen world presents us with trial after trial. We are threatened, tempted, and hurt often. Without help, we are lost. God sent Jesus to save us. All we have to do is believe and say yes. That’s it. At that point, Jesus has already won our battle war for us. There are still battles to fight against sin, temptation, and persecution, but we are victorious in Jesus. As we approach the refuge of eternal life with God, we are sanctified, filled with more understanding from the Holy Spirit, and protected from death by Jesus. Our salvation is not complete until we pass from this life into eternity, but we are becoming more Holy each step of the way.
God, the King, has sent His Son to us. All we have to do is accept Him, and we will no longer fight alone, and we are guaranteed victory, and eternal rest in His holy presence.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16