This morning I came across this tiny historical reference to a battle involving a little known King of Judah. Scripture says that King Asa “did what was pleasing and good in the sight of God”…at least in the beginning of his reign. As I was reading the record of Asa’s reign (yeah I know how to party) :-) I came across these three verses.
I want to share these three verses from I Chronicles because chances are (like me) you’ve never noticed them.
Chances are, you are facing (or will face) some battles in you life with long odds and huge opportunities to fail.
Chances are, you wonder sometimes if following God…doing what is “pleasing and right in his sight” actually makes a difference.
Chances are, you wonder sometimes how you should pray…and even if God hears your prayers…when you face terrible situations.
And chances are, you wonder if you should take action…pray…or both.
Here’s your answer:
9 Once an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. They advanced to the town of Mareshah, 10 so Asa deployed his armies for battle in the valley north of Mareshah. 11Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” 12 So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled. 2 Chronicles 14:9-12 NLT
Righteous Living + Humble Prayers of Trust to God + Faith filled actions
= Victory (even against incredible odds.)
All of the things you’ve been wondering about matter…greatly…eternally. What you do, what you pray, and taking action in faith will all pay off when the most difficult challenges of your life come. God specializes in “helping the powerless against the mighty”.
Chances are you just needed a reminder. I know I often do.