Two more examples from the Bible today.
JEHOSHAPHAT
Jehoshaphat was one of the good kings of Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:3 says that “the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David.”
But at one stage, a great army came against him—the Moabites and the Ammonites, “a great multitude,” far bigger than his army. Jehoshaphat feared but he did the right thing. Immediately he turned his eyes toward the Lord and “set himself to seek the LORD.” He proclaimed a fast and gathered everyone to come together to seek the Lord—not just the men, but their wives, their children, and their little ones! As they all sought the Lord, God showed them what to do.
You’ll remember the story in 2 Chronicles chapter 20. He appointed singers to go before the army singing and praising the Lord. The moment they began to sing and praise the Lord caused their enemies to begin fighting among themselves and destroy one another. When they arrived on the scene, behold, there were all dead bodies!
THE THREE MEN IN BABYLON
You know the amazing story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who, although Jews, were officials in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold to which he commanded everyone to bow down, and if not, they would be thrown into the fiery furnace.
These three young men served the living God and would not bow down. When the king gave them a second chance they said: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. BUT IF NOT, be it known unto thee, O king, that WE WILL NOT SERVE THY GODS, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:16, 17).
BUT IF NOT! They trusted God no matter what the outcome, even if He would not deliver them! They trusted God even more than their deliverance! May God help us to trust Him the same way as these young men.
We know the amazing story of how king Nebuchadnezzar commanded the furnace to be heated seven times hotter and they were thrown in. But God delivered them miraculously and even the Son of God came and walked with them in the fire.
Nebuchadnezzar later confessed: “Blessed by the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants THAT TRUSTED IN HIM” (Daniel 3:28).
God is able to deliver us in any circumstance, but even if He doesn’t, will we continue to trust Him?
David, the great warrior, who fought armies and battles far bigger than his army, confessed: “But I TRUSTED in thee, O LORD: I said, THOU ART MY GOD” (Psalm 31;14). He confessed his trust in God.
Confessing your trust in God strengthens your trust. Confessing out loud the promises of God also strengthens your trust.
You may be doubting. You may be thinking negatively. Don’t speak it out. Only speak out the promises. Only speak out your trust in God..
Psalm 78:19-22 (NET): “They willfully challenged God by asking for food to satisfy their appetite. They insulted God saying, ‘Is God really able to give us food in the wilderness? Yes, he struck a rock and water flowed out, streams gush forth. But can he also give us food? Will he provide meat for his people?’ When the LORD heard this, he was furious. A fire broke out against Jacob, and his anger flared up against Israel, because they did not have faith in God, and DID NOT TRUST HIS ABILITY TO DELIVER THEM.”
May we learn to trust Him more and more each day.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell