Overwhelming Odds

I just love this about God -- He loves doing the "impossible". Every time I find myself facing a situation with some sort of impossibility involved, I can go to any number of places in the Bible and find that this is most often where God works. Otherwise, I guess it would be too easy for us to take credit for working out a situation. The story of King Jehoshaphat (what a name, huh?) in 2 Chronicles 20 is one of my favorites. Here is this king who is suddenly faced with the news that a huge army of Judah's enemies is heading their direction with the intent of destroying Judah. How does the king respond? "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." Then he reminded God (in front of the whole nation) of some very important things..."art thou not God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee...O our God, wilt though not judge them, for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee." If you read on, you will find the story ends well. God does prove Himself once again. In fact, Judah was instructed this way, "Tomorrow go ye down against them...Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you." Judah's response? "Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD." I really can't comment further on this.

What is the giant, the overwhelming situation you are facing today? We all have them from time to time -- sometimes seemingly all the time! I encourage you to respond just as Jehoshaphat did: fear, seek the LORD, and proclaim a fast in the manner God leads you. Entreat the Lord, and see that He delights to show Himself powerful on our behalf and for His Great Name. Then, when He does give you victory -- and He will -- don't forget to respond with humility and worship. No room for pride when God mercifully intervenes in our lives! Can you even wrap your mind around the fact that the God of the universe, Creator and Sustainer of all life would intervene? Thus I end up here again... "What is man that thou art mindful of him?"