Sometimes it feels like the enemy has us surrounded. We sense him closing in and can’t find an escape. Maybe you feel that way right now, trapped from every side.

Does God Hear My Battle Shout?

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That’s what happened to King Abijah when his kingdom of Judah was at war with Israel. (2 Chronicles 13) Abijah stood for what was right in the eyes of God. And even though he was outnumbered by Israel’s King Jeroboam and his armies, Abijah did not back down from battle.

"But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him." 2 Chronicles 13:10 ESV

At the time, Jeroboam wasn’t leading the people of Israel in the ways of God. So he didn’t listen when Abijah sent his warning.

“...do not fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.” (2 Chron. 13:12)

Abijah faced troops in front of them, while Jeroboam also sent troops to ambush him from behind. Judah was surrounded by the enemy.

What does the Bible say about our battle cry?

There will be times in life when there seems to be no hope. When we’re being ambushed by the enemy from the front and from behind. Like Abijah, we can choose how we respond when we’re surrounded by the enemy. The example we see in King Abijah still applies to our battles today.

When surrounded by the enemy, we need to have a battle shout ready.

“When Judah realized that they were being attacked from the front and the rear, they cried out to the Lord for help. Then the priests blew the trumpets, and the men of Judah began to shout. At the sound of their battle cry, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel and routed them before Abijah and the army of Judah.” (2 Chron. 13:14-15 NLT)

When the men of Judah saw that the situation looked bleak, they called out to the Lord. God hears our cries of anguish. He is there, even when we feel like the battle lines have forged a chasm we can’t cross. Nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:35)

Knowing God will never leave us in battle helps us trust Him in every circumstance.

That’s a beautiful thought, but when a desperate situation comes crashing into our lives, it’s hard to hold onto that promise. However, if we know our battle shout, we will be ready when trouble comes.

When God heard the battle cry, He defeated Judah’s enemy. Sometimes, like in the battle King Abijah faced, we get to see God work immediately, taking down the enemy right before us. Other times, the outcome doesn’t turn out the way we think it will. It’s during those times we need to trust God to take care of it, regardless of what we see happening in the moment.

Are you facing a situation that seems hopeless? Have you questioned whether God hears you at all?

Let’s commit together today to develop our own personal battle shout. Let’s stand side-by-side, warriors believing and trusting in the God who loves us. And if doubt or fear threatens to take over, we will be ready.

Want to find your battle shout? Do you long to be ready when opposition comes? Check out these 5 Best Verses for Your Battle Shout.

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Last week's devotion explored a battle between Judah and Israel, at a time when King Jeroboam led the people of Israel away from God's ways.

Even though Judah was outnumbered, King Abijah didn't back down. The enemy had him surrounded from the front and back. But with God on His side, he marched boldly into war. God defeated Jeroboam when Judah raised their battle shout.

Sometimes I can get so blindsided by the unexpected that I forget to cry out for God's help. By having key verses from God's Word in my mind and heart, I can be ready when challenges happen.

Let's develop a battle shout arsenal filled with powerful verses today. I've shared a few here to get us started.

Below are 5 Scriptures we can call out when we feel like we’re surrounded in battle. These words represent different times in the Bible when men faced insurmountable odds. The words held power then, and they still do today.

1. "But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him." 2 Chronicles 13:10 ESV

(Spoken by the king of Judah in the battle against King Jeroboam.)

2. "Help us, O Lord, our God, for we rely on you..." 2 Chronicles 14:11

(Spoken by Asa, king of Judah, in war against Ethiopia.)

3. "Do not be afraid...for the battle is not yours but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:15

(Spoken by Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, when Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir came against Judah.)

4. "Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed." 2 Chronicles 20:20

(Spoken to the people of Judah by King Jehoshaphat before going to battle against Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir.)

5. "Shout, for the Lord has given you this city." Joshua 6:16

(Spoken by Joshua at the battle of Jericho, before the walls came down.)

Let’s commit one of these to memory this week and add it to our arsenal of weapons when circumstances rage around us. God’s Word is the best protection.