This Bible passage offers hope:
"The men of Israel were subdued on that occasion, and the men of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord the God of their fathers." 2 Chronicles 13: 18, NIV.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
There was a war between Abijah, king of Judah and Jeroboam, king of Israel. Judah had four hundred thousand fighting men, but they were outnumbered by Israel who fielded eight hundred thousand troops. Righteous Abijah climbs the hill and boldly declares to his overwhelming foe that, "As for us the Lord is our God," verse 10. Israel attacks Judah from the front and ambushes from the rear. When Judah saw that they were out-maneuvered they cried out to the Lord, the priest blew the trumpets and the men raised the battle cry; then at the sound of their battle cry, the Bible says that Lord routed Jeroboam and all Israel.
OBSERVATIONS:
Lessons can be learned from this Bible passage:
- We must declare that "The Lord is my God."
- We must "cry out" to the Lord, and pray for His deliverance.
- We should, be like the trumpet blast and give testimony to the Lord.
- We should rely on the Lord.
GOD OF OUR FATHERS
The specific title for God is instructive. The God of their fathers is in contrast to the gods of the societies opposing them. In our age, there is much clamor to adopt views of God that is not true to him. If we are open we must consider the prospect that the gods of our age may not be true and there is a possibility that the God of our Fathers is the true God after all. This God of Our Fathers is one who listens to our cry and gives victory. This is the God of Love who sent his son to die for our sins.
Let us resolve to seek God and grow deeper in our reliance on him to find victory today and always.
