Unleash the Power

"The Israelites were subdued on that occasion,

and the people of Judah were victorious

because they relied on the LORD,

the God of their ancestors."

2 Chronicles 13:18

Things looked bad.  In fact, it could have been the end for Abijah, king of Judah.  Instead of giving up as he surveyed the enemy troops gathered in front and behind, hopelessly surrounding him and his army, he cried out to the Lord and the Lord saved him.

When things look bad for me, I, too, can cry out to God, unleashing His mighty power in my life.

Believe.  There is much about my life that discourages me.  Sickness strikes, stuff breaks, relationships are strained.  It's easy to feel hopeless, as if I can never get a break.  Where's this abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10)?

While the difficulties, struggles and trials often overwhelm, I have a choice as to where I place my attention.  When I focus mostly on what is going wrong, the problems become bigger and as a result, God becomes smaller.  If, however, I were to pay more attention to God, reminding myself of who He is, what He has promised, and how He has faithfully cared for me, He will grow bigger and my circumstances will fade into the background.

When things look bad for me and it seems I have no hope, it's time to believe that God is who He says He is.

Act.  Once I believe God can do the impossible, it's time to act.  Now it's easy for me to think there is something I must do to save myself and I'm often tempted to come up with a plan of action to do just that.  The kind of action I speak of here, however, is different.  Instead of trying to figure out what I must do to "help God along," the action that is necessary is placing my trust in God.

What does this look like?  It is what the men of Judah did when they raised the battle cry, readying themselves to fight even though it seemed the odds were against them (2 Chronicles 13:15).  They believed the God of their fathers was going before them and they acted as if the battle was already theirs.  Sure enough, as soon as they sounded off, the people of Israel, their enemies, fled and these formidable foes suddenly became easy pickings.

When things look bad for me and it seems I have no hope, it's time to act as if I believe God is who He says He is.

Watch.  Now that I've taken that step of faith, going forward into the unknown with the belief that God is already at work on my behalf, I must watch for Him.  What is He doing?  How is He saving me, protecting me, delivering me?  From where will His deliverance come?  As soon as I see the work of His mighty hand, I can fall in behind Him, joining in with what He has already started.

The fighting men of Judah understood this.  As they stepped forward in faith, sounding the battle cry, the soldiers of Israel began to retreat.  Immediately they knew what was happening: God was routing their enemies.  They didn't waste a moment's time but immediately set to work slaying their enemy.  Without God, this would have been impossible.  But God had set them up for success, making their job easy.

Likewise, I can watch for what God is doing and fall in behind as soon as I see His method of deliverance.  It could be that the medical tests will all come back clear, or several people will all suggest the same solution, or the phone will ring with an offer of help.  Whatever the mode of delivery, it's up to me to recognize God's hand at work.

When things look bad for me and it seems I have no hope, it's time to watch for God acting as He says He is able to act.

In this world with all it's troubles, it's easy to feel hopeless.  Instead of focusing on what is wrong, however, I can choose to believe that God is as big as He claims to be.  As my faith is bolstered, I can then take a step forward, believing God is there to catch me.  As I do, I can then pay attention to what God is doing to save me, watching for His mode of delivery.  God's power is always there, available for use, but it's not until I believe, act and watch that I will unleash His might on my behalf.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to step forward into the dark unknown.

When do I hesitate, doubting God could do the impossible?

How am I holding back, failing even to believe the most basic truths about God and His abilities?

Facing the Impossible

"Moses answered the people,

'Do not be afraid.

Stand firm and you will see the deliverance 

the LORD will bring you today.

The Egyptians you see today

you will never see again.

The LORD will fight for you;

you need only to be still.'"

Exodus 14:13

It seemed impossible.  God's very own precious people were between a rock and a hard place, up against the wall, and at the end of their rope.  There seemed to be no way out.  The formidable Egyptian army forced them up against the shores of the Red Sea where they pondered their fate.  Why would God go through all the trouble of delivering them from the hands of the cruel slave masters only to have them die there in the desert?  It seemed hopeless.  Where could they go?  How could they escape?  What would happen in the face of such might? (Exodus 14:5-12)

It is easy to panic when what I see before me looks impossible.  The doctors say I only have weeks to live;  my boss tells me he must let me go without severance pay; the debt is so large I don't see how we can ever dig ourselves out from under it.  I am then tempted to go to pieces, wondering what will become of me.  After all, this happens to others but I've never experienced anything such as this.  How will I come out on the other end whole and unharmed?

Then I turn to God in desperation.  When I cry out to Him, telling Him how things are beyond hopeless, that the end is near and there's no way out, He gives me some specific instructions.  Here is what He speaks to my trembling heart:

Do Not Be Afraid

He had been told he would be the father of many nations and that all people on earth would be blessed through him.  Yet here he stood years later, utterly childless and without an heir. (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1) What kind of a cruel trick is this, he must have thought.  Who will stand to inherit my wealth?  How will my name go on?  Will it end with my death?  What kind of a blessing is this?  It seems more like a curse!

Then the LORD gave courage to Abram with a vision in which He said, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." (Genesis 15:1)  It is easy to lose heart when everything around me points to defeat, failure or hopelessness.  God, however, sees the big picture.  He possesses the eternal perspective and therefore can be trusted when my vision is short-sighted.

Instead of putting my faith in my feelings, then, I can take God at His Word, choosing to believe He will bring me safely through this time of trial. (Isaiah 43:1-3)  Since I belong to Him, I can trust Him to fight my battle for me, choosing to believe that with Him on my side there is no one who can stand against me.  (Romans 8:31)  Even when my situation seem ugly and dreadful, God will make it beautiful at just the right time.  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

When I have reached the end of my rope, God gives me specific instructions to choose faith instead of fear.

Stand Firm

It's one of the most familiar scenes in Disney's heart-wrenching "Bambi."  The hunter is after a flock of quail.  As the creatures hide in the bush, one panics, unable to withstand the pressure of staying quiet.  The others beg her to stay put, but her fear suddenly reaches a climax and she succumbs to the urge to fly, crying out, "He's almost here!  I can't stand it any longer!"  After a few moments, we hear the fatal shot of the hunter as the poor bird falls to the ground in a heap. 

While placing such human feelings upon animals may be stretching reality, there is some truth to be found in this scene.  It is natural for me to want to flee in cases of danger, threat or pain.  The urge to run away or find an escape route is great because it is a part of my flesh to want to avoid pain and suffering.  When God says to stand my ground, however, I can take Him at His Word.  

Many times, it is at the moment when the enemy is drawing close, or when the deadline approaches, or when it seems all hope is lost that God shows His mighty hand.  When I stand firm I am proving to God that I believe He's got my back and that He will protect me from whatever it is I fear.  If I instead give in to the temptation to flee, I'll miss out on seeing the deliverance He has planned for me.  

When I am at the point of panic, God gives me specific instructions to stand my ground.

Watch for Deliverance

It was hard to see the tiny shoots poking up through the hibernating earth.  At first glance, there seemed to be nothing there but dirt.  Upon closer inspection, however, I found a few spots of green peaking out through the soil.  Soon, the crocus would be blooming, heralding the arrival of Spring.

In the same way that I had to search for the signs of life in the seemingly dead garden, I must watch for what God is about to do in especially difficult situations.  Sometimes, if I'm not alert and attentive, I can miss the very miracle God performs as a show of His might and power.

When I expect to see amazing things from God, I will perceive these feats of His strength.  When I don't think anything out of the ordinary will happen, I will fail to see what He does.  Those who look will find.  Those who anticipate the out of the ordinary will perceive it.  Those who are expecting to see something new from the Lord will not be disappointed.  (Isaiah 43:18-20)

The thing about watching for God to work is that I never know what to expect.  While I know it will be something extraordinary, I can't limit the scope of His work.  While I'm looking for a cure for what ails the body, He may bring about the healing of a heart.  If I focus on how He is going to provide more income, He may instead decrease the amount of my needs.  When I'm paying attention to the right, the answer may come from the left.  With God, I must expect the unexpected and be prepared for anything.

When I am in need of deliverance, I must expect to see amazing things from God that I could never imagine.

When my life seems to be filled with grief and I'm not sure how I will survive, God gives me some specific instructions.  He wants me to choose faith instead of fear, stand firm in my faith, and use this faith to believe that anything is possible.  When I look for Him to do great things, I will not be disappointed.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to stand firm when I feel like fleeing.

How do I expect only the ordinary from God?

When do I put God in a box, thinking I have the solution all figured out instead of letting Him choose for me?