01/05/2022
There are occasions in life when our troubles, or enemy, seem overwhelming and there is no hope for us, except in the Lord. We feel overwhelmed in such times, and before we go to war, or confront our troubles, we are quite certain we have already been undone, or defeated. But in such times we are not powerless, and our hope is not lost, quite often we just don’t realize how mighty our God truly is, and that He goes before us. Many times we lose sight of the fact that the battle is not ours to fight at all, but His. So, when do we lean on Him, and ask Him to help us? Do we say a quick prayer in the moment before we run into a fight, or do we look to Him beforehand, and pray that He will fend off the conflict long before it arises? When do we ask Him for His help?
“And Asa cried to the Lord his God, “O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.””
2 Chronicles 14:11 ESV
When do we ask for God’s help? In this verse we see that Asa cries out to the Lord before the battle against Zerah the Ethiopian occurs. Is this how we ask for our Heavenly Father for help, or do we go onto the battlefield alone, and only call out to Jesus once we are nearing defeat, or facing calamity? God doesn’t want to be held in reserve, no, He wants to lead us against our troubles and adversaries. He wants us to pray each and every day, long before our troubles surface, or our enemy gathers against us. When we do this He will more often than not, stem off a conflict, and provide solutions to our troubles. Jesus prays in intercession for us before trouble can begin to threaten our wellbeing. Our needs are known by Him before we can voice them, and He intercedes for us when our troubles are but tiny seeds.
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Matthew 6:8 ESV
““Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34 ESV
There is a well-known saying that goes like this… “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”, and there is a great deal of wisdom in this. This is especially true for us as Christians. If we pray each day, and live a Godly life, then our troubles will be few, and if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in all we do, then our paths will be made straight. A man who loves his neighbor as himself will receive love in return, a person who leans not on their own understanding will be sheltered by God’s amazing wisdom, and those who pick up their crosses and follow Jesus will ultimately be filled with joy, and called a child of God. How many times do we look behind us and realize that we were given an escape from danger, tribulation, or temptation, long before we were even aware that we needed one?
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Have we ever been faced with two choices that seemed fairly equal, but after choosing one of them we came to find that had we chosen the other we would have faced calamity? Have we ever been delayed in leaving for work by something that, at the time, caused us irritation, but as we rushed, and started our car, we heard on the radio that a few moments earlier there had been a terrible accident on the very road we normally traveled? Did we thank God, and say to ourselves “There, but by the grace of God, go I!”
““Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.””
Psalm 91:14-16 ESV
So it is that we should come to realize that by leading a Christlike life we are protected. God is mighty in battle, but He is also good, merciful, and humble. He would rather prevent a conflict than to lead us into battle. He would rather that we live a healthy lifestyle than heal us when sin has taken its toll on us, and He would prefer that we walk in righteousness, than to kneel before Him asking for forgiveness.
Do we pray without ceasing? Do we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? Do we live according to His commandments, and obey Him by doing His will? These acts of faith make a difference, and determine whether we are calling out for deliverance, or resting in Him as righteous men and women?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for going before us in battle, and saving us in times of trouble, but most of all, thank you for your mercy, and for looking after us before armies need be raised, or troubles arise. We pray for your hand to be on us always, and that your peace be ours each day. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, who calms our lives, and gives us joy as we walk faithfully with you. Praised be your name for every escape from life’s issues, and from each temptation we face. You are merciful, and full of grace, as you help us endure the burdensome weight of our cross. Through Jesus your lift from us the weight of our sin, and in your love you anoint us, comfort us, and set tables for us before our enemies. Gracious Father, wash us clean with the blood of of your Son Jesus; transform us into the image of Christ, and call us worthy in the moment of our final judgement. Seat us before you Father, and hear our praise and worship for you throughout all eternity.
Rich Forbes