My Reading - 2 Chronicles 20
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. -2 Chr 20:2-3
Adversity is always terrifying. Whether you are the King of Judah and it is large armies of Edomites; or you are an average 21st century American dealing with your own struggles and addictions, the terror of adversity is the same. Adversity causes fear, fear causes desperation, and desperation causes dependence. This dependence is the reason for our adversity. The question of why do bad things happen to good people is not answered in a simple, "adversity leads to dependence" since all great issues are more complicated than a one sentence answer. Yet it is simple and true that God uses the myriad of reasons for "bad things" to allow us to surrender to him and experience the blessing of this dependence.
And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you." - 2 Chr 20:15-17
The experience of God's deliverance outlined here is the same promise of deliverance God offers us. God offer us the opportunity to face adversity with the promise, "Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf," Paul put it this was in the well known writing about the armor of God, "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then..."(Eph 6:13-14) Three times in his introduction to his explanation on the armor of God he encourages us that our role is to STAND. God's promise is a message of deliverance. God does not call us to call him for assistance, leadership, or direction. God's call is greater, it is a call of complete surrender, it is the call to humble ourselves, and wait for his deliverance.
Our call to stand is a challenge to our pride. I am much more comfortable with Super Strong Kevin and his trusty side kick, GOD!!!! But this attitude of pride is not the path to victory. My own continued spiritual failures come from relying on God's assistance, rather than crying out for his deliverance. When we place our strength and trust in the God of salvation, the God of deliverance we will arrive at the battles of our own adversity, only to see the Lord's victory has already preceded us.
This is part of a series of 3 posts, I wrote about 2 years ago collectively called "No Ashera Poles". They were three personal posts and I never had any intentions really of publishing them. However I decided today to go ahead and throw them out there.
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