Fearlessly CourageousDesk of Dennis Piller5 23 2023
Click for Audio VersionWho gets the shout-outs for your Victories? When was the last time you celebrated them?
First Chronicles 14 vs 8. Notice King Asa had enjoyed 10 years of peace in Judah. Looking back on my life during times of peace and prosperity, some were the hardest times to stay faithful to God because we grow a little lazy without a fight.
In verse 9 The Ethiopians came against Judah with 1 million men. Perhaps they thought that after being at peace for so long that their guard would be down. I’m certain that Satan has that same attitude towards us during times of peace and prosperity too. I love the king's prayer in verse 11 "Asa prayed, “O Lord, you can help a weak army as easily as a powerful one. Help us now, O Lord our God, because we are relying on you, and in your name, we have come out to fight against this huge army. Lord, you are our God;No one can hope to defeat you.”
What a great victory, over one million soldiers, It is very clear that if you’re looking for peace and prosperity spiritually,we need to continually rely on God. Go to God. Walk with God.Stand with God.And perhaps equally important, remember the victoriesthat God has given to you.
Yeah, I might be OK fighting on my own,but I've lost too many battles thinking that way.
What greater form of encouragement could there possibly be when facing your next challenge with the memory of your last victory? Like giving credit to God's hand of deliverance? My cousin Kylee came to live with us for a couple of years. She came to us broken from an abusive relationship, and God did some amazing things during that time. I had her write in the front of her Bible all the breakthroughs God was giving her. I always wanted her to remember them in her times of trial. I would encourage you to do that same thing because we have such a short memory of the good things that happen in life. We’re always given a choice in the way that we win our battles and what we claim as a victory.
We can claim a victory through lying, by cheating, and by looking the other way. But I know that when I hold true to God‘s word, to his truth, his character and I see a victory that will give him glory, even if nobody else sees that…that is a God victory! And every time that happens, I think it should result in a sense of humility, and as part of gods people, as we remember that it was God who gave us the victory. And we give God the credit for our victories. I refuse to remember them as I too often did… Wow, look at me, as my chest swells with pride. But instead, I want the Holy Spirit to help fill my heart with thankfulness and confidence and courage, for what lies ahead.
Can I ask you as we are near entering the second half of this year… is there a river Jordan before you that you are looking to cross? We may have come from a dry place, but if you have faith for it, the river Jordan ahead may be our entrance into the next level… a real breakthrough in our walk with God. But I don’t believe that we can do that successfully… we can’t tackle these challenges alone… or without looking through the lens of God’s past victories in our lives and walking out some of God's promises to us!
Kelly Balarie said: " Ever noticed if you wait for a battle to hit, you're too late? If you wait until you’re in the heat of an argument with someone, you usually have a hard time responding kindly. If you get that phone call late at night, without preparing, you find yourself in panic mode. If you end up in the hospital next to your child's bed because of a catastrophe, you tend to freak out. If we don't know how to handle things, our emotions usually handle us.
Or, at least this is what usually happened to me".
We need to remember who we are. Remember what he has done for us. Remember to wait on the Lord and not rush to fear or judgment.
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32
"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 Chronicles 20:17)"Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident." (Psalm 27:3)“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)"Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight.” (2 Samuel 10:12)"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
Encourage yourself in the Lord by remembering His Faithfulness and His Victories!
