The Real Battle

In the earthly realm, we observe battles and our senses offer us more than seeing and hearing should we find ourselves actively engaged in a struggle. But where truth is at stake and God’s cause is the real issue, the battlefield is in the unseen realm. Battles for souls, marriages, families, and legislative/civic matters that affect God’s cause are ultimately fought and won in the spirit realm.

“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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God…Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:12-18). The real battle is in the spiritual realm, and this influences the physical realm. Prayer in the Spirit influences the spiritual realm.

The spiritual and physical realms are powerfully illustrated in the life of Elisha and his servant. An enemy army had surrounded their city. “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? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 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” (2 Kings 6:15-17). The key here is being in tune with God, trusting, and seeing in the spiritual realm.

When battles take place before our eyes involving people dear to us or causes we embrace, we must intercede and trust God to overcome in the unseen realm that our earthly realm also might be blessed. This has much to do with God’s authority extending into both the realm of the unseen and the seen.

After Israel escaped Egypt through the Red Sea, they encountered new enemies and among these, Amalek was the first to stand against them (Exodus 17:8-13). While Joshua and his chosen men engaged with the enemy army, Moses interceded for them from a nearby hilltop, holding the rod of God in his hand. The rod which represented God’s authority had to be held high, but Moses eventually grew tired, the rod lowered, and the enemy began to prevail. Aaron and Hur, who had accompanied Moses, responded by holding Moses’ arms as he continued holding up the rod of God, and through God’s authority the victory was won.

In battles that concern us and for which we bear responsibility, we must not underestimate the value of an Aaron and Hur event. The power of intercession aligned with God’s will to affect God’s cause through God’s authority is real. This is the real battle.