Wednesday July 6, 2011
Today's Passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Memory Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:15
This devotional begins with the memory of a boxing documentary I saw one night. The boxer was Muhammad Ali. I have always been astounded at the ease with which he dismantled his opponents. He literally convinced himself of the fact that there wasn't a man on Earth who could beat him. Subsequently, his gift not only commanded the attention of the nation, it commanded the attention of the world.
In life, we're well aware of battles we can win. As a matter of fact, we love having the advantage. Noone has to tell us to be confident, or strong, or to have courage when we're facing something we can whip. I wonder why the devil stopped attacking me with THAT stuff? You see, that's how Ali was. He had no problem getting into the ring with guys who were either bigger, stronger, or faster. He didn't see those attributes as advantages for them. No matter who his opponent was, Ali saw him as a defeated foe. There are things in life you'll always be able to whip. Some demonic attacks are defeated by you before you get out of bed. In today's passage, the army of Israel had won so many battles. They had had success in battles that were seemingly impossible to win; but they won. Like us, certain enemies didn't strike fear in them any longer. They knew they'd have victory against certain nations, so they marched in with confidence. Today, however, was different.
It's good to be confident. But, having confidence that overshadows faith is dangerous. So, having fights that require FAITH to win, are regular occurrences for Christian life. Verse 1 of our passage says "The Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat". Verse 2 said "a huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea"! This wasn't the type of battle Jehoshaphat was used to. Three armies against one? That'd make any king nervous. So Jehoshaphat did what any one of us would do; he got scared. How are you going to win this one? How are you going to beat cancer, or job loss, or divorce? Everyone keeps saying you're going to be okay, but your feelings have yet to catch up with that disclaimer. At the end of the documentary, all they could do was show a great fighter who was struggling to defeat his biggest enemy: Parkinson's Disease. I wish I could tell Ali all his fight knowledge and training wouldn't be enough for this one. He needs to know that his gift of gab would not lead to victory. To win this fight, he'd have to discover what Jehoshaphat knew: This battle can ONLY be won with God! How will YOU win the fight of your life? Here's a tip. Jehoshaphat turned his face toward God. He called a fast to make sure God would help him in the battle. In doing so, he discovered this battle wasn't even about him. Imagine that. What if the battle you're in doesn't even belong to you? God, in response to Jehoshaphat's diligence, revealed to him that this battle wasn't his, it was the Lord's. The scale seemed tipped in the enemy's favor in order for God to demonstrate how truly powerful He is. Be encouraged my friends, if the battle seems insurmountable, that might mean God is setting you up for something awesome. You see, He gets His glory through our faith. This is how it works: When we turn to Him in the midst of the impossible, our faith releases Him to make it possible, as a result, the glory for it becomes His. It's essentially a win win for all. So, if you find yourself in fight of your life, let God take control. Be confident in His power to save. Afterall, unlike You, me, and Muhammad Ali, He's NEVER lost a fight.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for allowing me to be in Your shadow. That's where my protection lies. Nothing can harm me that You don't allow. I'm confident in that. My faith has gone to new levels. I now lay all things at Your holy feet as You are well able to take care of my every need. Keep me in Your awesome care, in Jesus' name. Amen
Today's Passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Memory Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:15
This devotional begins with the memory of a boxing documentary I saw one night. The boxer was Muhammad Ali. I have always been astounded at the ease with which he dismantled his opponents. He literally convinced himself of the fact that there wasn't a man on Earth who could beat him. Subsequently, his gift not only commanded the attention of the nation, it commanded the attention of the world.
In life, we're well aware of battles we can win. As a matter of fact, we love having the advantage. Noone has to tell us to be confident, or strong, or to have courage when we're facing something we can whip. I wonder why the devil stopped attacking me with THAT stuff? You see, that's how Ali was. He had no problem getting into the ring with guys who were either bigger, stronger, or faster. He didn't see those attributes as advantages for them. No matter who his opponent was, Ali saw him as a defeated foe. There are things in life you'll always be able to whip. Some demonic attacks are defeated by you before you get out of bed. In today's passage, the army of Israel had won so many battles. They had had success in battles that were seemingly impossible to win; but they won. Like us, certain enemies didn't strike fear in them any longer. They knew they'd have victory against certain nations, so they marched in with confidence. Today, however, was different.
It's good to be confident. But, having confidence that overshadows faith is dangerous. So, having fights that require FAITH to win, are regular occurrences for Christian life. Verse 1 of our passage says "The Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat". Verse 2 said "a huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea"! This wasn't the type of battle Jehoshaphat was used to. Three armies against one? That'd make any king nervous. So Jehoshaphat did what any one of us would do; he got scared. How are you going to win this one? How are you going to beat cancer, or job loss, or divorce? Everyone keeps saying you're going to be okay, but your feelings have yet to catch up with that disclaimer. At the end of the documentary, all they could do was show a great fighter who was struggling to defeat his biggest enemy: Parkinson's Disease. I wish I could tell Ali all his fight knowledge and training wouldn't be enough for this one. He needs to know that his gift of gab would not lead to victory. To win this fight, he'd have to discover what Jehoshaphat knew: This battle can ONLY be won with God! How will YOU win the fight of your life? Here's a tip. Jehoshaphat turned his face toward God. He called a fast to make sure God would help him in the battle. In doing so, he discovered this battle wasn't even about him. Imagine that. What if the battle you're in doesn't even belong to you? God, in response to Jehoshaphat's diligence, revealed to him that this battle wasn't his, it was the Lord's. The scale seemed tipped in the enemy's favor in order for God to demonstrate how truly powerful He is. Be encouraged my friends, if the battle seems insurmountable, that might mean God is setting you up for something awesome. You see, He gets His glory through our faith. This is how it works: When we turn to Him in the midst of the impossible, our faith releases Him to make it possible, as a result, the glory for it becomes His. It's essentially a win win for all. So, if you find yourself in fight of your life, let God take control. Be confident in His power to save. Afterall, unlike You, me, and Muhammad Ali, He's NEVER lost a fight.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for allowing me to be in Your shadow. That's where my protection lies. Nothing can harm me that You don't allow. I'm confident in that. My faith has gone to new levels. I now lay all things at Your holy feet as You are well able to take care of my every need. Keep me in Your awesome care, in Jesus' name. Amen
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