“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
–2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NLT)
The above words were spoken by Hezekiah, king of Judah, who had heard that the Assyrians were coming. They were crueler than anyone else, and they could be likened to the terrorists of our day. The Assyrians were a super-power, and just the thought of them approaching made the people’s hearts tremble. While King Hezekiah did what he could to fortify the city, he knew that all of his work was futile if he didn’t seek the Lord first.
You may ask, “How does a battle fought thousands of years ago affect me?” Scratching your head, you might continue, “Remember, Tim: we live in the age of cell phones and computers, not horses and chariots.”
While you have a good point, you need to remember three things. First, while human beings are in a constant state of flux, God does not change. Second, when you’re facing a battle in the 21st century, remember that He is still all-powerful. Third, those who put their trust in Him need not be discouraged, no matter what is handed to them.
This story is simply an illustration to remind us that while life is full of battles, God is larger than any giant that we may face. I have learned from experience that once we definitely know God is faithful to deliver us, we need not fight our battles alone.
Are you in the thick of things? Do you feel isolated from God and from others? You can have a new confidence and courage knowing that God will never leave you or forsake you. The Bible tells us to cast all of our cares on Him, and He will lead us through good times and bad. Let the consciousness of His presence fill you, giving you the strength to face that trial you are going through.
Then, search God’s word, for in it are the treasures of life, the guidance that will help you face and overcome life’s pressures in a new way. I have found that the nuggets of truth found in scripture bring a feeling of sanity back into my life. As I have put these words of wisdom into practice, they have brought me a feeling of calm, just like the emotion experience by the children of Judah in our scripture. You can have this same peace, for while you will always have battles in this life, and the storms may be just as real as they were before, a new joy can replace despair.
I am telling you that once you really know that God is for you, it makes all the difference in the world. So come to Him in a new way today, not trying to fight battles in your own strength. You can have direction in the midst of life’s trials if you will only allow Him to walk with you, lay your burdens down at His feet, and find the God-given courage to confront your giants. Then, just like the people did in this story, rest in the outcome.
Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 377 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 260, Placentia, CA 92870. Finally, check out our online store at www.amway.com/burdicksbargains. In order to support us, please register for free on our store website before purchasing anything. Thank you!
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