Wednesday, January 17, 2018

17 January 2018 - against the odds


Jesus strengthens us for battle even when the odds seem stacked against us.

David answered him:
"You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar,
but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted.

This is a hard lesson for us to learn. We are so used to trusting in chariots and horses but we are called to trust in the name of the LORD (see Psalm 20:7). It's just that whether it is chariots, horses, or nuclear weapons, they seem so practical and, well, reliable, whereas God seems to be at best hit-or-miss as a solution to ur problems. Is it perhaps possible that this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for us? We actually trust in horses and chariots and so we don't usually rely on the name of the LORD for help. Then, after the fact, we ask where the LORD was when we weren't trusting in him to begin with. How different things can be if we trust in the LORD from the beginning. This trust is the key to a victorious life.

All this multitude, too,
shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves.
For the battle is the LORD's and he shall deliver you into our hands.

When we refuse to trust in him Jesus looks around "with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart". He isn't mad because he doesn't get his way. He is mad because we're hurting ourselves. He wants us to trust in him and choose good over evil, life rather than destruction. If we trust in ourselves we won't find the life and victory that Jesus offers us. But if we just stretch out our hand to him...

Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."
He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

This is a blessing Jesus wants the Pharisees to know but which they themselves choose not to receive. Anyone who stands on their own, with their own armies, may feel powerful, they may feel secure. Only those who trust in the LORD for their strength are victorious over illness, over enemy, and over sin.

My refuge and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.



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