Ministering Pastor Austen Ukachi
“He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me. For there were many against me” (Psalm 55:18).
“By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass, when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck” (Genesis 27:40).
What is destiny? It is what God had planned for you to do long before you were born. It is God’s plans and purposes for your life made long before you were born. God has a destiny for everyone of us. Most times, for us to do what God has planned for us or to attain what he has purposed for us, we have to fight some battles.
Life is full of battles of destiny. Whatever front we turn to we face battles. In Psalm 55:18, the psalmist declared that he faced numerous battles. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul talked of the forces we wrestle with. In the battles we fight, we use the weapons of prayer, faith, the word of God, perseverance, etc. Often, the arena of the battle is in our flesh and in our mind. We also fight against unseen forces (Ephesians 6:12-18). Let me say here that the battle of destiny could be prolonged in nature. At eighty five years, Caleb was still battling for the promises God made to him earlier and wanting to possess a mountain at Hebron ( Joshua 14:6-14). He was undeterred and his strength up diminished.
THE BATTLE TO BE LIKE CHRIST
The first kind of battle of destiny we face is the battle of being conformed into the image of Christ. ROMANS 8:29 says, we are predestined to be “conformed to the image of his Son.” We all face stiff oppositions in an effort to be like Christ. Satan would do everything to hinder us from being like Christ. The flesh also resists us from being conformed to the image of Christ. The battle of destiny is essentially those battles we fight in our effort to be what God wants us to be, or to receive those blessings, which God has ordained for us.The prodigal son faced a lot of temptations and distractions, which made him not to do what his father wanted him to be.
THE BATTLE TO FULFIL OUR DESTINY AND GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE
Solomon fought a battle of destiny following the temptations he faced in life. He was a man of destiny, he was chosen by God for a given task of building the temple of God, but he faced lots of temptations from women and material wealth that eventually derailed him from fulfilling his full destiny (1 Chronicles 22:9,10; 28:4-6,9,10; 29:1; 1 Kings11:1-13). The situation of Samson is like that of Solomon. May Satan not abort our God-given purpose.
THE BATTLE TO RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSINGS
JABEZ was another example of a man who fought the battle of destiny (1 Chronicles 4:9-11). Jabez was born in sorrow, and given a name that depicted his birth, but he wrestled with God for a change in status and destiny. He refused to settle for a life of a mediocre. The Bible records that God granted his petitions. Though outwitted by his brother, Jacob, Esau wrestled for the blessings of his father, Isaac (Genesis 27:34-40). Jacob wrestled with God for blessings when he was returning to Bethel (Genesis 32:22-32). When the Angel of God said, ” Let me go, for the day breaks.,” But Jacob insisted, “I will not let you go unless you bless me!”
THE BATTLE TO FULFIL YOUR MINISTRY OR CALLING
We are all cut out for something special by God. Jeremiah was like that, but he fought a lot battles to fulfill his ministry. He was ordained a prophet from his mother’s womb, but before he could fulfill his ministry he faced lots of challenges. He was persecuted severely in ministry, at a time he was ditched, but eventually, he was set free (Jeremiah 1:4,5; 26:1-24; 38:1-28; 39:12). Paul fought several battles before he could fulfil his ministry.
THE BATTLE OF FIRST BORN IN THE BIBLE
Sibling rivalry and conflict are many in the Bible. They represent yet another kind of battle of destiny we fight. Many first born in the Bible faced the challenge of attaining their natural status and position. Starting from Cain and Abel, we see rivalry among siblings. The sacrifice of Cain, the first born of Adam was rejected by God, while that of Abel was accepted. That led to envy and strife. Cain eventually killed Abel.
Esau and Jacob were locked in rivalry. Esau, the first born of ISAAC fought a battle of destiny (Genesis 25:22-34).
Reuben, the first born of Jacob faced a battle of destiny (Genesis 49:1-4).
Manasseh, the first born of Joseph faced a battle with destiny (Genesis 48:17-22).
Solomon and Adonijah were involved in a rivalry of who was to succeed David, their father.
Every first born child must rise up to contend in prayers to receive the blessings of God ordained for him so as not to be a failure in life.
THE BATTLE FOR LIFE
Another battle of destiny is the battle for life and good health. Hezekiah fought to stay alive (2 Kings 20:1-11). After fighting a battle of survival, God extended his life by fifteen years. The Psalmist in Psalm 118:17 must have faced a threat on his life hence he declared, “I shall not die, but live to declare the works of God.”
Paul despaired for life in the course of his ministry (2 Corinthians 1:8). In 2 Corinthians 4:8, he says, “We are pressed on every side….” Again in 2 Corinthians 7:5 he says, “we are troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.”
THE BATTLE OF DESTINY IN OUR MARRIAGES
Another front in this battle of destiny is in our marriage and relationships. Some of us are in marriages and relationships that are not helping us fulfil our destinies. Some are married to men and women who keep them away from serving God. Such marriages need to be guarded with serious prayers for God’s intervention. A spouse is supposed to be a destiny helper; but some are destiny discouragers and de-motivators.
NOTHING CAN HAPPEN TO US UNLESS GOD APPROVES IT.
Let us be assured that in the battle of destiny, nothing can happen to us unless God approves of it. The life of Jesus confirms that fact. Jesus once said everything concerning him have an end (John 18:37; 19:11; Genesis 50:20). May you not be a loser, but may you win in the battle of destiny. May God give you testimonies of victory in this battle of destiny.
