2 Chronicles 20:17

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle.

The conditions and certainty of obtaining God’s deliverance

I. That since our enemies’ designs are known to us, we ought to set ourselves, that is, make what provision we can against them.

II. That having thus set ourselves, we must then stand still, that is, do nothing which is unlawful, although it be for, our own preservation.

1. By doing any unlawful action we deprive ourselves of God’s care and protection.

2. By doing anything unlawful we bring a scandal upon our religion.

3. To do evil, although for our own preservation, would be most likely to unsettle and ruin us. When once we break down the fences of duty, who can tell where we shall stop? If we allow ourselves the liberty of doing one sinful act, we may easily be prompted on to commit a thousand.

III. Repentance and amendment of life being supposed, we haste all reason to hope that we shall see the salvation of God.

1. Whatever our danger, God hath sufficient power to save and deliver us.

2. This is to be inferred from the design of God’s sending judgments upon any nation. (Jeremiah 18:7). (Thomas Lynford, A.M.)

For the Lord is with you.--

The power behind us

In my firewood factory we use a circular saw for cutting timber. Until recently this saw was worked by a crank turned by men. It was slow work, and we bought a gas engine. The saw, driven by this engine, does more work and at less cost. It is the same saw, but the difference lies in the power that drives it. It was driven by hand-power, now by an equivalent for steam, we only need to keep the connecting band tight. It is not a question of our abilities, but of the power behind us. (F. B. Meyer.)