Our world is shaky, scary, and confusing right now. It’s completely normal for you to be struggling with the fear and uncertainty of the future. Many of you have lost jobs and income. Some of you have lost loved ones.
You are unsure how to move forward with educating your children. You miss normal, right? Everything we have been accustomed to as “normal” seems to have vanished.
But none of this has taken the Lord by surprise. He is still on the throne, and He still listens to the cries of His children. What we face today is no different from the trouble that millions have experienced before us.
And He has given us the keys to overcoming in Him. The gospel message is the hope we cling to–that in Jesus we find a refuge. In Him is salvation, purpose, peace, justice, and eternal life.
Maybe today, you just wish you had a word from the Lord–some encouragement to put your hope in. In our series 5 Keys to Breakthrough, we are looking at how Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, dealt with the trouble and uncertainty that his nation faced.
A mighty army was coming against them that they had no power to defeat. But as they prayed and fasted, they gathered before the Lord and waited for a Word from Him.
All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel…
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'”
2 Chronicles 20:14a, 15-17, NIV
Key #3: The Word
Many times I have found myself in a troubling situation, and my response is to do all of the natural things–get upset, worry, talk to other people about it, worry some more, post it on Facebook.
Finally, I will get enough sense to pray about it, but really, I’m still trying to figure out a way to fix it myself. You know, in case God doesn’t come through.
Or I look for someone to blame. I talk to some more people so I can get them to agree with me, because then at least I can feel a little better about my situation. Let’s just be honest. Misery loves company.
And if there isn’t a person to blame, then I can blame God for letting it all happen. Maybe I’m getting too deep or personal, but this is just what is on my heart right now. I’m speaking from experience.
But I want to be different. I want to be like Jehoshaphat and come before God fasting, praying, and waiting to hear a word from Him. After all, I have access to the inspired, living, active Word of God every day. God will speak to us if we will come before His Word and listen.
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
Psalm 118:130
One of the keys to receiving a breakthrough in any situation is to declare God’s truth over it. God’s Words coming out of our mouths are powerful.
God created the world with His spoken Word. He gave His Word to Moses and instituted the Law to show us our sins. Then He sent the Word into the world to die for our sins.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
If you are a believer, you literally serve the Word made flesh. Don’t discount the power of that Word in your life. Instead of being negative and complaining and rehearsing over and over all the trouble and fear, start agreeing with what God says in His Word.
- He promises salvation to those who put their trust in Him: Romans 10:9-11.
- He promises His peace in the midst of trouble: John 16:33.
- He promises to always be with us: Psalm 23:4.
- He promises to help us: John 14:16-17.
- He promises to give us what we need for godly lives: 2 Peter 1:3.
- He promises rest for the weary: Matthew 11:28-29.
- He promises His wisdom: James 1:5
- He promises forgiveness to those who confess: 1 John 1:9.
- He promises to meet all our needs: Philippians 4:19.
- He promises to guard us from the evil one: 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
- He promises to cast out fear: 1 John 4:18.
- He promises eternal life to those who believe: John 3:16
Our hope is not in social justice, vaccines, or elections. Our hope is in the Maker of heaven and earth who holds all power in His hands.
It’s time to lay down the weapons of our pride, self-sufficiency, and offense. Instead, we need to take a lesson from Jehoshaphat and pick up the supernatural weapons of our warfare.
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:14-17
Our only offensive weapon against the enemy is the Word of God. Jesus used the Word when He faced down Satan in the wilderness of temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). If the Word was good enough for Him, I’m sure it’s good enough for you and me.
We are in the fight of our lives. You may be overwhelmed with Covid fears, racial unrest, and uncertainty about the future. Perhaps you are dealing with other personal burdens as well.
Like Jehoshaphat, let’s stand our ground with prayer, fasting, and the Word of God. Let’s not give in to the enemy’s tactics of fear, worry and doubt.
I can’t promise that your problems will be resolved immediately or in the way you expect, but I know this: He is faithful to His Word. You have only to pick up your Sword.
Our world may be shaky, but our God is not. Put your hope in Him.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.'”
Hebrews 12:28-29