Hi how are you all today? I am well. I have had a sinus infection over the last couple of weeks but I am better now. I have had a good week and am writing my third book. So stay tuned! How was your week?
With all the talk in the media over the last few weeks of making sure we are all prepared for an emergency, I was thinking that we might be feeling a little overwhelmed! For me, it sounds like 2020 all over again and I wouldn’t want that to happen. So in times of feeling overwhelmed, what do we need to do?
First we are going to remind ourselves what Jesus said in John 16: 31-33 and in the Message Bible it states:
31-33 Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Jesus has conquered the world. That means that if we belong to Jesus, we are conquerors too.
Let’s look at a story in the Old Testament to give us a picture of the spiritual for us.
This is the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 and 21.
This is the scenario of what he was facing. It is found in chapter 20:1-2 and in the Message Bible, it states:
20 1-2 Some time later the Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat received this intelligence report: “A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you. There’s no time to waste—they’re already at Hazazon Tamar, the oasis of En Gedi.”
Does this sound familiar? There is a huge force on its way. The media is using scare tactics, the doctor has a bad report, you have lost your job, your child is away from God etc. This force could be anything that comes against us that feels overwhelming.
So what does the king do?
In verses 3-4, the king prays and calls a prayer meeting and fast.
3-4 Shaken, Jehoshaphat prayed. He went to God for help and ordered a nationwide fast. The country of Judah united in seeking God’s help—they came from all the cities of Judah to pray to God.
The king knew that this problem was bigger than him and would affect everyone in his nation. So he did the only thing he knew would work. He went to God. Notice he didn’t count his armour or his soldiers. He went to God.
When a problem is coming against us, do we try to fix it ourselves or complain to others or do we just run to God? I admit sometimes I don’t but when I do, it always feels better because I know God is with me.
So what was the answer to this big problem for the king? It came through Jahaziel who was moved by the Spirit of God to speak and this is what he said in the latter part of verses 14-17 in the Message Bible:
He said, “Attention everyone—all of you from out of town, all you from Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat—God’s word: Don’t be afraid; don’t pay any mind to this vandal horde. This is God’s war, not yours. Tomorrow you’ll go after them; see, they’re already on their way up the slopes of Ziz; you’ll meet them at the end of the ravine near the wilderness of Jeruel. You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you.”
Let’s look at this answer in light of our circumstances.
- Don’t be afraid
- Don’t think about the problem
- This is Gods war, not yours
- Go after the problem- stand on the promises in the Word of God
- Just stand firm
- Watch Gods saving work take shape
- Don’t be afraid, don’t waver
- March boldly- God is with you
This sounds like a good battle plan for us to follow too.
So what happened to the king?
The next day, the king sent the choir our first and when they came to the battlefield, the entire army had all been beaten by themselves. Gods Word had come true! All the king and his people had to do was carry off the treasures.
God wants us to know we are over comers too no matter what comes against us. We just need to follow the same battle plan and we will get results. It may take a day, week or years but keep standing and you will overcome.
Bless you and keep living the life God intended.
Karen
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