Abijah, the second king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, knew how to trust God when things got impossible.
Jeroboam, the rebel king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, had come against him with an army twice the size of Abijah’s and had him at a tactical disadvantage as well; the army of Judah was surrounded and pinned down.
Abijah stood on a hilltop and shouted to the army of Israel, "Behold, God is with us at our head, and His priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed." (II Chronicles 13:12)
While he was speaking, the army of Israel had worked its way around behind him and suddenly launched an ambush attack on the army of Judah. They not only weren’t listening to Abijah’s words, they were mocking him in their hearts as they cynically maneuvered into place to destroy him.
"Then the men of Judah raised the battle shout. And when the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah."
2 Chronicles 13:15
God vindicated Abijah’s faith. By the time the battle was over, Israel’s army was smaller than Judah’s. It would not be capable of threatening Judah for generations to come.
We are called to be faithful. We are called to "trust in the Lord with all our heart, and not lean on our own understanding." No matter how impossible the outlook or how undefeatable the enemy that we face, if we will just learn to keep our eyes on God and His promises, we will be not only safe but victorious.
Proceed on the assumption that God’s Word is true, that He will keep His promises. That’s called faith, and it works because His Word is true, and He does keep His promises.
Lord, even though my faith is sometimes wobbly, I trust in You. I know You keep Your Word. I believe; help my unbelief. When my faith is weak, You are strong. Keep me close; comfort and strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit. My life is in Your hands, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles
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