Category Archives: Faith / Trusting God

Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility

Why Did God Allow This Hardship to Happen?

There is much suffering in this world and many situations that we as believers may struggle to understand. We may find ourselves asking, “Why did God allow this to happen?”. There will always be things we do not fully understand, but it is truly important to draw near to God during these times… draw closer to Him… do not let suffering or lack of understanding on your part separate you from God.

Proverbs 3:5-7  5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

From a practical perspective, when we are looking to God to help us out of difficulty or to help us prosper while experiencing it, if we allow ourselves to drift away from Him, we will be less able to hear His instructions and guidance. During these times we want to draw near and listen closely to what God has to tell us. I want to serve God and honor Him even in suffering and trials. I want to learn what He is trying to teach me and let Him use me.

Consider the death of Stephen and persecution of the early followers of Christ by those who claimed to be righteous… Jewish religious leaders. There was much persecution and suffering amongst the early church. The followers of Yeshua fled Jerusalem and spread the message of the gospel to other locations. Imagine if they would have just gotten mad at Yahweh and stopped following Yeshua to avoid a difficult situation… they would have been lost and Yah’s plan to spread the good news of Messiah across the world would not have progressed the way He desired.

The early followers of Yeshua obeyed Yahweh and proclaimed the good news to others despite persecution. They began by preaching to only Jewish people. During this time of suffering, though, they still trusted the LORD and when they heard His guidance to proclaim the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, they did. God brought a tremendous harvest of new believers from the Gentiles.  The early church believed and trusted Yahweh even during persecution and hardship. As a result, He was able to use them in a mighty way to the glory of His kingdom.

None of the early disciples of Yeshua were thinking… “If only we could be persecuted and scattered, that would be great.” or “We should preach to the Gentiles.” But they were faithful and served the LORD regardless of difficulty and circumstance. Praise and glory to Yahweh, the faithful servants flourished in the situation in which He planted them and then were able to hear His instructions to adjust their course and bring the gospel to a great number of believers. Now, 2000 years later, see how many followers of Yeshua were not among the Jewish people! How much of the harvest would have been missed if Yeshua’s disciples did not listen?

We can also see that in suffering, which came as a famine in this case, believers pulled together to help one another. This principle is important for us to remember. I am sure these early Gentile disciples did not fully and properly understand the instructions of Yah such as the Law. That is why Paul was there teaching for so long. Despite some variation in understanding and practice of how they pursued the LORD, they pulled together in unity. Of course, I am sure it helped to have a clear leader in Paul to teach them all they needed to know. We tend to lack that today, though many teachers are out there with differing understanding of how to live for the LORD.

Acts 11:19-30

The Church at Antioch

      19So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

      27Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Keep your eyes, ears and heart open for Yah’s direction for you in the midst of the difficulties you may be experiencing. How might He be using this situation or guiding you to further His kingdom? Do not despair, He is with you and can cause all things to work together for the good of those who believe in Him.

Romans 8:28  28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

How can you obey Yah and allow Him to use you in the midst of hard situations you are experiencing today? How can you help other disciples of Yeshua who are experiencing difficulty?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please raise up teachers like Paul to instruct and lead Your people in a return to Your instructions for how we are to live and worship. Help the disciples of Yeshua pull together to move toward restoration of living as Yeshua demonstrated, according to Your ways rather than the ways of man. Please help us have unity in moving toward proper understanding and living out of Your teaching in the scriptures. Amen. 

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Arrogance, Faith / Trusting God, Healer, Humility, Miracles, Money / Finances / Wealth, Prayer, Pride, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Purposeful / Intentional, Strong in Our Weakness, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

What Can We Learn from Assyria’s Invasion of Judah?

As I read 2 Chronicles 32, I tend to focus on at least three perspectives: Hezekiah, Yahweh, and Sennacherib. Of course, you can explore more as well, such as the perspective of the people of Israel or the soldiers of Sennacherib. Each perspective helps us understand key elements of God’s interaction with man that still apply today.

I find it interesting to read through this passage several times, each time focused on one of the different perspectives identified above. For example, I read first focused on the events from Hezekiah’s perspective, then a second time from the perspective of Sennacherib, and then again from that of Yahweh.

For background context consider reading 2 Chronicles 29 30, and 31. Hezekiah is a righteous king, doing what is good in the sight of the LORD and leading his people out of sin and rebellion to Yahweh and into a right worship and lifestyle according to Yah’s ways.

2 Chronicles 32

Sennacherib Invades Judah

      1After these acts of faithfulness Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself. 2Now when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to make war on Jerusalem, 3he decided with his officers and his warriors to cut off the supply of water from the springs which were outside the city, and they helped him. 4So many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream which flowed through the region, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find abundant water?” 5And he took courage and rebuilt all the wall that had been broken down and erected towers on it, and built another outside wall and strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in great number. 6He appointed military officers over the people and gathered them to him in the square at the city gate, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, 7“Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him. 8“With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Sennacherib Undermines Hezekiah

      9After this Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem while he was besieging Lachish with all his forces with him, against Hezekiah king of Judah and against all Judah who were at Jerusalem, saying, 10“Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, ‘On what are you trusting that you are remaining in Jerusalem under siege? 11‘Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give yourselves over to die by hunger and by thirst, saying, “The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria”? 12‘Has not the same Hezekiah taken away His high places and His altars, and said to Judah and Jerusalem, “You shall worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn incense”? 13‘Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands able at all to deliver their land from my hand? 14‘Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed who could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand? 15‘Now therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you like this, and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand?’”

      16His servants spoke further against the LORD God and against His servant Hezekiah. 17He also wrote letters to insult the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying, “As the gods of the nations of the lands have not delivered their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.” 18They called this out with a loud voice in the language of Judah to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them, so that they might take the city. 19They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, the work of men’s hands.

Hezekiah’s Prayer Is Answered

      20But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven. 21And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed every mighty warrior, commander and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned in shame to his own land. And when he had entered the temple of his god, some of his own children killed him there with the sword. 22So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side. 23And many were bringing gifts to the LORD at Jerusalem and choice presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations thereafter.

      24In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill; and he prayed to the LORD, and the LORD spoke to him and gave him a sign. 25But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. 26However, Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come on them in the days of Hezekiah.

      27Now Hezekiah had immense riches and honor; and he made for himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuable articles, 28storehouses also for the produce of grain, wine and oil, pens for all kinds of cattle and sheepfolds for the flocks. 29He made cities for himself and acquired flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great wealth. 30It was Hezekiah who stopped the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did. 31Even in the matter of the envoys of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone only to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.

      32Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his deeds of devotion, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 33So Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the upper section of the tombs of the sons of David; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. And his son Manasseh became king in his place.

I want to summarize some key points from each perspective: Hezekiah, Sennacherib, and Yahweh. As you read and reflect, consider how each may apply in your life today.

Hezekiah:

  • He was in right relationship with Yahweh.
  • He still faced difficulties and trials that were significant. It was not because of any sin of his own.
  • He trusted faithfully in the power of Yahweh over that of men.
  • He did not complain about why Yah would allow this to happen, but instead he turned to Yah for help.
  • He took wise and bold action on his own to prepare for war in regards to what he could do on his own, and then he also sought Yah in prayer to rescue him.
  • After Yah granted miraculous victory, Hezekiah and the LORD were both honored with gifts and respect.
  • Yah healed Hezekiah, but he then acted with a proud heart. The LORD provided correction to Hezekiah. Hezekiah repented and humbled his heart before the LORD, and the LORD relented. This pattern is one similar to that of David and we do well to watch out we do not lose our humility and if we do, that we repent.
  •  Hezekiah was blessed with financial wealth from Yah. This is not necessarily a promise that all who follow Yah will be financially rich. Consider many prophets and disciples who were clearly not wealthy. Trust in Yah either way but praise Him for what He does provide to you.

Sennacherib:

  • He had no respect for or relationship with Yahweh.
  • He was very proud and arrogant.
  • He had full trust in his own ability to control any outcome based on the strength of his resources (e.g. army).
  • He boldly disrespected Yah, comparing Him to the common false gods and idols of other nations.
  • Once Yah decided to defeat Sennacherib as an answer to prayer, all his earthly power was totally meaningless.
  • He faced defeat which he likely never fully understood, but it was based on his standing against the one true God.
  • When he died, he ended up in eternal suffering.

Yahweh:

  • Yah favored Hezekiah, but still allowed him to face significant difficulty and challenges.
  • Yah surely did not favor Sennacherib, but still allowed him to accomplish much and be mighty in the eyes of men. He had much worldly power.
  • When the righteous called out for help, Yah defeated Sennacherib without action needed from Hezekiah or his army.
  • When the righteous, Hezekiah, was ill and asked for help, Yah healed him. This does not mean Yah will heal everyone who is righteous.
  • When Hezekiah became proud in his heart, Yah rebuked him and humbled him. When Hezekiah repented, Yah forgave him and showed mercy.
  • Yah blessed Hezekiah with riches and honor.

I hope you have found this as interesting a study as I have. I encourage you to think through from more perspectives as well and write it out. Then reflect how it applies. Considering the perspective of the people of Judah or Sennacherib’s army surely brings an angle of those who were not the leaders into play that would be interesting to explore. Remember, this is not just history, but relevant for how we should live still today.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please show me how to apply this history to my personal life. Help me to walk in right relationship with You and trust in You as my provider and defender. Help me also to have wisdom and courage to take the action that I should in order to address the challenges that face me. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Healer, Kindness / Gentleness, Miracles, Suffering / Adversity

Miraculous Healing in the Name of Yeshua

There is no injury, illness, or disability, too great for our Father to heal and no situation too hard for Yahweh to deal with it. Even after Yeshua departed, the apostles continued to heal many in His name. Always the focus was on Him and never on themselves. It was not their power, but Christ moving through them.

There can be much debate about how often and in what manner Yahweh heals people today, but there can be little debate amongst believers that He is able to heal anything… including death itself.

In the examples we read in Acts 9, we can keep in mind that through these examples of healing, the LORD was bringing about glory and honor to His name and leading people to disciple themselves after Yeshua. There was a purpose to His healing beyond simply helping the individuals involved.

Acts 9:32-43

Peter’s Ministry

      32Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. 35And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

      36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

God does not heal everyone from every serious illness, and we do not always understand why He heals some and not others. We can be assured though, that our loving Creator and Lord hears our prayers and is able to heal anything. He wants us to come before Him with our needs, as the people came to Peter on behalf of Tabitha. He also wants us to trust Him when His answer may be something other than “Yes, I will heal this person as you ask.”

When we do experience a miraculous healing at the hands of God, embrace it! Praise God for it to His glory. Tell others about it. Do not be afraid or intimidated that some or many will not believe. Many did not believe even standing face to face with Yeshua. However, when God provides a miraculous healing, it can not only physically transform lives but spiritually impact many to come to Christ or deepen their trust and relationship with Him.

For those other times, when we do not receive the answer that we ask for, we must encourage one another to trust in God. Let us also draw near to God even in our grief and loss. Let us honor God in all aspects of our lives both on the mountain top and in the valley.  Many can also be led to Yeshua by witnessing how His people experience the type of loss that normally cripples families that do not know Him.  As a related example of believers dealing with suffering (though not illness specifically), consider how Paul and Silas reacted when they were put in prison and how it affected others around them… leading them to follow Yeshua.

Acts 16:22-40

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

      22The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. 23When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; 24and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

      25But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

The Jailer Converted

      31They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.

      35Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, “Release those men.” 36And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out.” 38The policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 39and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city. 40They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

Praise and honor God on the mountain tops and in the valleys. Look to Him for support when you are weak and to celebrate with Him when things are going your way! Pray the Holy Spirit would help you to deal with loss in this way so as to further the Kingdom of God. You will also find that focusing on God rather than our circumstances will help you experience joy and contentment through every circumstance you encounter.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for the blessings You pour out on Your people including examples of miraculous healing. May the glory and honor be Yours and draw many nearer to You. Please help us be faithful even when You do not provide healing, that we would still praise Your name and You would be honored. May You be honored and glorified in all situations, on the mountain top and in the valley. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, He Appears Before You, Obeying God, Submitted / Servant

We Must Be Submitted and Obedient to Be Used by Yahweh

Imagine for a moment, that God told you to go to see someone who had gained a reputation for persecuting followers of Christ. We are not talking about teasing them or refusing to sell them things… but putting them in jail for no reason other than following Yeshua.  It is easy to say we would obey… but it may be very intimidating to do so in truth. What a genuine test of faith!

Ananias was confronted with this very situation when God asked him to go to Saul… who was among the fiercest persecutors of followers of Christ in the early church. Ananias did question God to make sure he heard Him correctly… he was probably quite surprised in the direction he was given. Ananias deserves a lot of credit, for he obeyed God and went to see Saul. Through the eyes of man it must have seemed to be folly, but trusting in God’s instructions and obeying Him allows us to be part of His plans!

Acts 9:1-19

The Conversion of Saul

      1Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

      10Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19and he took food and was strengthened.

By trusting God and obeying even what must have seemed to be difficult instructions to follow, Ananias was able to be part of the conversion of Saul from fierce persecutor of the early disciples of Yeshua to the chosen instrument of God Himself to spread the good news of the gospel of Messiah throughout the region and eventually throughout the world! It would be easy to expect many to make excuses not to obey God in this circumstance, but Ananias demonstrated great faith and trust in God. He was faithful and a servant.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, give each of us wisdom to recognize and understand Your guidance and courage to obey even when it seems hard. Help us to be faithful and have a servant’s heart toward whatever You ask of us. Thank you for sending us the helper in the Holy Spirit to dwell within believers and help us to hear and obey your instruction!

Now ask yourself… “Is there something He has already asked me to do, that I have not done yet because it may seem difficult?” Pray for His help again and obey the instructions He has given you.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Demons, Faith / Trusting God, Healer, Hope, Persecution / Glorifying God, Share the Good News

Can All Things Really Work Together For Good?

Many who follow Yeshua genuinely and wholeheartedly throughout the ages have faced serious persecution up to and including giving their lives in service to our Lord. Sometimes it is government, a false religion, or even those who claim to be the spiritual leaders of God’s people. Examples of the latter include the Pharisees and Sadducees during Yeshua’s earthly ministry and also the Catholic church for a period of centuries persecuting Bible believing Christians.  At times the persecution can be ruthless and relentless. These are times that we as believers must prepare for by establishing strong foundations in our relationship with our Messiah, Yeshua.

Matthew 7:24-27

The Two Foundations

      24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27“The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Despite the storms we know will come, we can be encouraged that our Lord is in control. He is able to use all things to work together for the good of those who believe… even things that we would never expect Him to use for good.

Romans 8:28

      28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

One such dramatic example is revealed in Acts 8. Saul is ruthlessly persecuting the followers of Christ such that they are scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. How could this possibly be a good thing? God used it to spread the good news of the gospel of Yeshua! Those who were believers and proclaiming the gospel were now scattered to a wider geographic area from which to share the gospel with those who did not yet follow Yeshua.

We can also see how Saul’s zealous nature for God resulted in persecuting Christians, but later was used by God for good to spread the good news of Yeshua widely as Saul became Paul and preached the gospel despite intense persecution aimed at him.

Acts 8:1-8

Saul Persecutes the Church

      1Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.
And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

      4Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. 6The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8So there was much rejoicing in that city.

Of course, none of us asks for persecution or suffering… but we can be encouraged to remember that God is in control and can use even difficult circumstances to the glory of His kingdom when we love God and follow His commands no matter what our situation and surroundings.

Consider…  what difficult situations have you experienced or witnessed in the past in which you could see God at work? Maybe you did not recognize it at the time, but only afterwards looking back can see His guiding hand at work. Are there any situations you are encountering now that He may be able to use?  How can you serve God in these situations?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have faith in Your wisdom. Help me to trust in You to use for good even things for which I would never volunteer on my own. Grant me courage and discernment. Help me to find peace in knowing that You are in control. Praise You and Your holy name. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Purposeful / Intentional, Suffering / Adversity

As a Follower of Yeshua, Should I Expect Storms in My Life?

Many struggle to understand that they will face adversity in life even after they accept Yeshua as their Lord and Savior. They trust in a false doctrine that life will be easy once they follow Yeshua. When they start with this belief, they can quickly get disappointed and turn from Jesus when things get tough.

What does Yeshua say about facing adversity as a believer?

Matthew 7:24

The Two Foundations

24“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.”

We should expect storms in life whether or not we follow Yeshua! But if we build the foundation of our life on the solid rock of the teaching of Yeshua, we will be able to withstand them.

Yeshua compares His teaching to a foundation. This is very different than just a pretty surface coat of paint! So it should be with our faith and our life. Following Yeshua should be foundational to every part of our lives not just the fresh paint when we are at church or all is going well.  When the storm comes the surface coat peels away, but with a solid foundation we will weather the storms!
Consider also what Yeshua said about the parable of the sower and the four soils. Those who do not have deep roots, will wither when things get tough. They will fall away from Yeshua and Yahweh.

1On that day Jesus had gone out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

3And He told them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and they sprang up immediately, because they had no depth of soil. 6But after the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8But others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much. 9The one who has ears, let him hear.”

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18“Listen then to the parable of the sower. 19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one sown with seed beside the road. 20The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.”

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please prepare me for the storms that I will face as I follow You. Help me stand strong and firm on my faith and continue to live according to Your instructions. Help me to be the fertile soil that brings forth a good yield by drawing other to You and by obeying and serving Your purpose for my life, even when things are hard. Amen. 

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Persecution / Glorifying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Submitted / Servant, Unteachable / Foolish

The Courage and Faith of Stephen

All too often Christians think of the earthly ministry of Yeshua as the start of the history of their faith.  At the risk of startling some, I must emphasize that this is most certainly not the case.  Clearly understanding the history of God’s people and His relationship with them is important for understanding and applying God’s word even today and in the future.  Stephen understood clearly and demonstrated his knowledge in addressing the religious leaders of the day in Acts 7 in regards to accusations that he was a heretic for proclaiming Yeshua.  It is just as important today for us to study and understand the full history of God’s people including the whole of the Old Testament as foundational for Biblical interpretation and Christianity itself.

Stephen points out that many of the religious leaders and God’s people have consistently rejected those whom God chooses to lead throughout time… even those that later generations would praise and hold up as “patriarchs” and leaders of faith. Stephen highlights Joseph, Moses, and of course Yeshua is the most recent example Stephen points to as he confronts those who reject Him. It is quite ironic that Stephen was being accused for teaching against the ways of Moses and God, and in his defense, he defended both Moses and God (in the person of Yeshua) and it only angered his accusers even more. Those who accused him were not able to see the truth, as many who have come before and after them.

Surely Stephen understood that a direct confrontation with the religious leaders would result in his likely execution and it did. Stephen stood courageously on the truth and laid out his life as an offering and sacrifice to God.

Demonstrating an attitude of love and forgiveness in the model of Yeshua, Stephen even prays for God to forgive them as the stone him. What a powerful witness that must have been to those watching. We cannot fully know who that influenced and how, but we know that God was pleased and now Stephen is spending eternity with our Creator.

Acts 7

Stephen’s Defense

      1The high priest said, “Are these things so?”

      2And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3and said to him, ‘LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.’ 4“Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. 5“But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM. 6“But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. 7“ ‘AND WHATEVER NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE IN BONDAGE I MYSELF WILL JUDGE,’ said God, ‘AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.’ 8“And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

      9“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, 10and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

      11“Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. 12“But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13“On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh. 14“Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15“And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. 16“From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

      17“But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. 19“It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. 20“It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. 21“And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22“Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23“But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24“And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25“And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. 26“On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’ 27“But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28‘YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?’ 29“At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.

      30“After forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH. 31“When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 32‘I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. 33“BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. 34‘I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.’

      35“This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. 36“This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37“This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN.’ 38“This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. 39“Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40SAYING TO AARON, ‘MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT—WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.’ 41“At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42“But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘IT WAS NOT TO ME THAT YOU OFFERED VICTIMS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS IT, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? 43‘YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.’

      44“Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45“And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. 46“David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47“But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. 48“However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

      49‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE,
AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord,
‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE?

      50‘WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?’

      51“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52“Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

 Stephen Put to Death

      54Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

Do you want faith and courage like that of Stephen? I certainly do!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please guide Your people in the Holy Spirit and fill us with courage to stand boldly to proclaim the good news of our Messiah no matter who the audience may be. Please strengthen my faith so that I stand my ground on the truth of Your revelation in scripture and in the earthly ministry of Yeshua even if it costs me my life. May my life bring glory and honor to You and Your name rather than comfort to me. Amen.

Those who truly believe in Christ and submit to Him have the hope of everlasting life with Him in Heaven even after we “fall asleep” in this life.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News, Submitted / Servant

Everyone Who Does Evil Hates The Light

Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. For many, this wonderful evidence of God likely led them to accept Yeshua as Lord, for others it truly helped them grow stronger in their faith, but for others who dwell in darkness… they hate the light and they will rise up to attack those who genuinely stand for God.

John 3:19  19“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

Wicked men, who love to do evil will always come against those who bring the light of Yeshua to the spiritually dark places throughout this world. It is not enough for them to choose to live in darkness, they feel driven to extinguish the light.

Acts 6:8-15  8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. 13They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; 14for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

We must remember and prepare to face persecution when we stand boldly for God and proclaim the truth of the gospel. Prepare by daily study of God’s word in the Bible and through daily prayer time with Yahweh. Ask the LORD to work through You in the power of the Holy Spirit, which is available to us as followers of Yeshua. Prepare for Spiritual battle, for it will come when we stand for Christ. Pray for Yahweh’s help that you stand strong when the persecution comes, as Stephen did. Do not apologize for or water down the true gospel to make it more acceptable to the wicked and worldly… for this would essentially be dimming the light ourselves to blend with darkness and shadow. A dim light is of little use to anyone.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help the righteous stand strong against the wicked. Help the light overpower the darkness and bring honor and glory to Your name. Thank You for Your Spirit and Your word to strengthen us. Thank You for sending Messiah that we may be reconciled to You despite our sin. Help prepare us for any confrontations we may face, even though they likely will not be as severe as what Stephen faced. Help remind us to pray for those who do face that kind of persecution around the world. Amen. 

We encourage you to review the following teachings as part of basic preparation.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Father / Yahweh, Healer, Help / Serve Others, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Interceding for Others, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Miracles, Miracles, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

When Yahweh Works Miracles in Our Lives, Let Us Direct the Glory to Him

There are times where the LORD will do miracles through His believers. When He works in and through our lives, let us be sure to put the focus on Yeshua and not on ourselves. Let what He does through our lives, small or great, be a testimony that points to Yeshua.

Acts 3

Healing the Lame Beggar

      1Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 2And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. 3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 4But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” 5And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” 7And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter’s Second Sermon

      11While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. 12But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14“But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16“And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

      17“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18“But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. 22“Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. 23‘And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24“And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. 25“It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ 26“For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

We should not be seeking personal glory, but rather to bring glory to Yeshua. I love the example in Acts 3. Peter is bold. This is no longer Peter who denied Christ three times, but Peter inspired by and filled with the Holy Spirit. He gives glory and credit to Yeshua immediately for the healing. He confronts the people publicly about their part in denying Yeshua. Then he leads them through a path to forgiveness through repentance. It is awesome! Praise God He is with us in times like that to lead us in what to say or do.

We may not have been part of a healing like the one in Acts 3, but the LORD has been working in the lives of all believers. What are some things He has done for you that you may not be giving the glory back to Him? What changes might you need to make in your life to give more credit and glory to God?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your Spirit to lead and guide us, to make us bold and give us the words to say in situations like the one in Acts 3. Help us have wisdom and courage to boldly represent You as You work in our lives and those around us. Let all the glory be for You and not for us. Help us to be a light that draws others to You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Fasting, Learning To Pray Effectively, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Through Prophets, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Prayer and Fasting and Seeking the LORD Wholeheartedly in Crisis

As we read in Chronicles 20, we again see an excellent example of how the LORD wants the righteous to turn to Him and trust in Him when faced by seemingly insurmountable odds.  We may not all face an invading army as Jehoshaphat did, but we all face stress and challenges that may seem overwhelming to us.

As you read 2 Chronicles 20, think of it not just in terms of the context of an invading army but in terms of situations in which you feel overwhelmed and should follow the example of Jehoshaphat and turn to the LORD for deliverance.

2 Chronicles 20:1-34

Judah Invaded

      1Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. 2Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” 3Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD.

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

      5Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court, 6and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. 7“Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8“They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, 9‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’ 10“Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), 11see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. 12“O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

      13All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children.

Jahaziel Answers the Prayer

      14Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; 15and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16‘Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.”

      18Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Enemies Destroy Themselves

      20They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 21When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

      24When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped. 25When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found much among them, including goods, garments and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry. And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much.

Triumphant Return to Jerusalem

      26Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore they have named that place “The Valley of Beracah” until today. 27Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres and trumpets to the house of the LORD. 29And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.

      31Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD. 33The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

      34Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.

I want to highlight some key elements I find in today’s scripture. I am sure you can find more if you seek it.

  • Jehoshaphat was afraid. It is a human emotion. Don’t be ashamed if you feel fear or difficulty over a situation. Recognize it and turn to the LORD.
  • The people of Judah came together to seek the LORD.
  • The people of Judah fasted together to further emphasize their focus on seeking the LORD in prayer.
  • They came together to pray, led by Jehoshaphat. He led prayer by focusing on who God is and on His power. He focused on how God has delivered them before. He lifted up and glorified the name of Yahweh before even asking for the help he so desperately needed.
  •  The LORD sent His Spirit on one of the crowd and answered. He gave specific details, which may not always  be the case.
  • The people worshipped and praised Yahweh. They did not just disappear and go back to their business after Yahweh said yes to helping them.
  • In this case the LORD said they would not have to fight the enemy. They showed strong faith by sending out those with song and praise in front of the army!
  • As they sang and praised the enemy was defeated.
  • They celebrated with thankful heart after the victory was delivered.
  • Their prayer and trust in the LORD brought them peace beyond the initial battle for which they were asking for help.
  • It all played out for the glory of Yahweh and not Jehoshaphat or the people of Judah.

Prayerfully reflect on these elements and how you may apply them to situations in your own life. Discuss with someone you trust that is submitted to the LORD.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to draw near to You and rely on You in good times and in difficult ones. Please surround me with a family and friends that will seek You alongside me and not abandon me when things get tough. Help us to seek You and glorify You. Let us cast our anxiety upon You for you love us. Thank you for your help!

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.