Shortly after Iraq invaded Kuwait, the United States of America built a coalition of several friendly nations to force the withdrawal of Saddam Hussein’s forces. There was another mustering of forces after September 11, 2001 attack on New York. Many nations teamed up with America to haunt Al Qaeda sympathizers. Arguably, the United States boasts of the strongest military in the world. Notwithstanding, they hardly go to war alone. The history of alliances dates back to Genesis. When Abraham was to rescue Lot, he did not rely on the 318 members of his private army. He sought the help of other kings as well.
In Second Kings Chapter 3, we come across another coalition. “Then he went and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” And he said, “I will go up; I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” (2 Kings 3:7). Moab was a vassal state to Israel in the days of Ahab. However, soon after his death, they rebelled. For the two years that Ahaziah reigned, they failed to perform their obligations to Israel. It was this rebellion that Jehoram wanted to subdue as soon as he began to reign in Israel. He wanted to fight Moab, but not until he had built alliances. The spiritual application of this is that we don’t fight the battles of life alone. No matter how intelligent, strong, or wealthy we may be; there will be times in life when we will have to draw on the support of others. This is the essence of Christian brotherhood; it provides a support base in days of trouble.