One of my favourite Albert Einstein quotes is “When the solution is simple, God is answering.” This suggests that when the solution to a complex problem or situation – that may be overwhelming, terrifying, anxiety-evoking – is a simple move, that is divine intervention. It’s a tell-tale sign that the solution is from God, and a useful tip for today’s believers.
Indeed, is this what the bible tells us about God? Let’s see God’s ways on the battlefield as an insight into how He uses simple solutions to solve complex challenges.
Be Still, Don’t Bother to do Anything
In Exodus 14:14, the scripture tells us the story of the Israelites as they made their way out of Egypt after over 400 years in bondage. They were terrified (NIV), sore afraid (KJV), panicked, very frightened, and cried out to God as the Egyptians marched after them while they encamped by the sea. Moses’s word of faith to them was “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” And God did. Moses raised his staff and stretched his hand over the Red Sea; God parted the sea and saved His people. They walked through the sea on dry land while their enemies drowned.
Likewise, in 2 Chronicles 20, three nations rose against Judah during the reign of Jehoshaphat: these were the Moabites, Ammonites and people of the Mount Seir. Their territories were never invaded by the Israelites, yet they became a threat. When the three nations formed an alliance and came to battle with Judah, God sent a word to Judah saying, “You will not have to fight this battle.” And indeed, they didn’t. First, the Moabites and the Ammonites turned against the men from Mount Seir and annihilated them. Thereafter, they turned on each other and totally wiped each other out. No one escaped. Thus, without lifting a finger in battle, Judah’s enemies fought and killed themselves.
Just Blow Your Trumpets and Shout
The iconic wall of Jericho was a fortification to prevent the Israelites from possessing the promised city. The gates were securely barred: no one went out or came in.
In Joshua 6:1, as Joshua and his men prepared to attack the city, God’s plan for victory was simple. His plan had nothing to do with the locked gates. Rather, He gave the Israelites specific instructions to shout down the entire perimeter wall. The armed men were to march around the city once for six days with seven priests carrying trumpets before the Ark of God. On the seventh day, they were to march around seven times with the priests blowing the trumpets. And when they sounded a long blast, the whole army was instructed to give a loud shout. This simple act brought down the wall of Jericho, and the Israelite army went in and conquered the city.
Also, in Judges 7:22, the bible described the Midianite population as being thick as locusts, and their pasture as many as the sands of the sea. No wonder Gideon and his 32,000 men were still terrified to face them in battle. Yet, God ordered him to trim down the number of the men that were with him again and again until he was left with just 300 men, according to God’s instruction. For “Nothing can hinder God from saving, whether by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6
Not only were they now small in number compared to the opposition, they also went into battle holding trumpets, empty jars, and torches; they didn’t hold the conventional weapons of war. But as the 300 men blew their trumpets, God caused the men in the Midianite camp to turn on each other with their own swords. The enemies fought within their own camp and killed themselves. Thus, the Israelites won a battle without lifting a finger to fight.
Don’t Worry, My Angels Will do the Job.
In Isaiah 37, during the reign of Hezekiah, king of Israel, Sennacherib the king of Assyria terrorised the nations around it. His army attacked, captured, conquered, and destroyed their neighbours; now they threatened to attack Jerusalem. The level of threat and intimidation was such that Israel’s king tore his clothes and put on sackcloth: totally overwhelmed, he cried to God. And God told him not to worry, His angels can help. That night, God sent an angel into the Assyrian camp who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers while they slept. The remnant of the army woke up to find the whole floor littered with dead bodies. Jerusalem’s enemies were gone: defeated without a single human hand raised in battle.
God uses Weather Phenomena to Fight
In Joshua 10:11, God hurled large hailstones down on the 5 kings of the Amorites and their armies as they fled before Joshua and the Israelite army in Gideon. The bible tells us that more people died from the hail on that day than were killed by the sword of the Israelites.
In 1 Samuel 7:10, God discomfited the Philistine army with a loud thunder. The Philistines went up against Israel at Mizpeh, and the children of Israel were afraid and cried unto God. God heard and helped them. As the Philistines drew near for battle, God made them hear the sound of a roaring thunder, and they fled before Israel and were struck down.
God’s Secret Weapons: Panic and Confusion
God is not an author of confusion. His instructions are clear and precise to those who trust and obey Him. Yet, God uses confusion as a secret weapon in warfare.
In Exodus 14:24-25, God threw the Egyptian army into confusion by jamming the wheels of their chariots while they pursued the Israelites as they crossed the Red Sea. Hence, they couldn’t catch up with them.
1 Samuel 14:15 tells us that God sent panic into the camp of the Philistines as Jonathan and his armour-bearer attacked the garrison. All the Philistines trembled: those in the camp, the field and beyond. The scripture tells us that the ground shook and the Philistine army melted away in all directions. In verse 20, when Saul and his men went into the battlefield, they didn’t need to fight because they found the Philistine army in total confusion, striking one another with their swords. Indeed, when God steps into battle, confusion becomes a divine strategy.
Conclusion
In all of these instances, the Israelites were terrified, distressed, and completely overwhelmed; they cried to God. As today’s believers, this tells us the first place to turn to when we need help: we should run to God in prayer.
These scriptures tell us about how God helped His beloved Israel and Judah over two thousand years ago. The good news is, God is still fighting our battles today.
God answers prayers. When God wants to help, He commands nature, instructs men, and sends angels to work in our favour. Sometimes, He commands us to be still and do nothing. Other times, He requires our full obedience to a simple set of instructions.
So, whatever you’re battling with today, why not call on the warrior who wins all His battles? Trust Him. He’s the only one who goes into war, dressed in His Kingly Robe, because whatever happens, victory is certain.
A lot of believers today are living testimonies of God’s faithfulness on the battlefield. It’s a grace that is available to you. So, let down your sword and call on God. Let God fight your battles. He hits harder than you can, and He is the only warrior who has never lost a battle.
But just in case you’re a DIY kind of person, you like to fight or fix those issues on your own, remember the simplicity of God’s ways. When you find yourself in the midst of life battles- a family feud, relationship problems, health challenges, financial mess, career block, or an addiction that refuses to go away- don’t put your finger on the button of an atomic bomb. You don’t need it. There is a simpler solution. Ask God.
A simple, graceful solution to a complex problem is a sign of divine intervention from God. By the way, God still helps, even when we forget to ask.