The Battle Is Not Your’s, But God’s.

Three different nations had risen up against Judah to overthrow them.

King Jehoshaphat immediately began to call upon the Lord. He knew they were in a desperate situation and only God could supply their need.

2 Chronicles 20:15  O our God, wilt thou 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.

2 Chronicles 20:13-14 And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 

14.  Then upon Jahaziel . . . . a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation;

15.  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Sometimes we simply don’t know what to do, where to turn, or what to expect when battles overwhelm us. That’s OK. We just need to trust the Lord in those times. 

We don’t always have to have the answers. We don’t always have to have a plan. 

Sometimes we just need to seek the Lord, give Him our problems, . . . for the battle is not ours, but God's.

Grace

The first i heard about grace was in the popular song “Amazing Grace”. When you are raised in church, you hear it a lot  

I discovered “how sweet the sound” at the age of ten when the good Lord saved my soul. That was “Amazing!”

I’m humbled, recalling the precious grace of God that brought me through the “dangers, toils, and snare” over the years.

I understand why the Apostle Paul prayed for grace over the churches he wrote to. He knew they would need it because they were not perfect.

We need grace too. Everyone needs grace.

I praise God for Grace.

Psalm 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Precious Blessings

The good Lord blesses His people in many precious ways:

—With His presence ——  Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

—With His peace ——- John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

—With His provision ——- Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

He blesses us with His power:

—Power to witness ——- Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

—Power to love others ——- Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

—Power to live for God ——- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

—Power to withstand everything that comes our way ——-  2 Corinthians 12:9A  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.

Jesus, Our Gibralter

During the time David was running from Saul he was in constant danger of death. Now, he has been delivered from all his enemies, and he lifts his voice to praise the Lord. 

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

This is David’s song of victory, but you and I have a victory song to sing as well. 

Our relationship with the Lord gives us a different perspective on the trials of life. 

When we stand in Him, we see them through His eyes and even though the difficulties of life might break our hearts, they still cause our hearts to bow in worship, Job 1:20-21.

Jesus is our Gibraltar, anchored deep and rising above everything. Trust Him. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.

Five Loaves, Two Fishes, And God

God is the Creator, the Master of the Sea, the Lily of the Valley, The Bright and Morning Star. 

He is the One Who was, Who is, and Who is to come. He is still God and we need to remember that. It’s important. 

God is able to use the little things.  — A baby’s cry to speak to Abraham; — A stick to part a Red Sea; — A stone and sling to remove a giant; — A starving widow to speak to Elijah; — Manna to speak to 2 million people - etc.  

Remember the loaves and fishes? Every need was met, possibly 20,000+ people fed with five loaves and two fishes, John 6:1-13.

Jesus took the little and turned it into a lot.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Place your little in the Lord's hand. Often He will use the resources you already have and multiply them in marvelous ways. 

Little is much when God is in it. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.

Song Of Deliverance

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

This scripture brought to mind a rather scary time in my life. Facing months of medical treatment and uncertain recovery, I asked Jesus to help me. 

He wrapped His arms around me and gave me a song of peace and deliverance. I sang it again and again. 

“I feel the touch of hands so kind and gentle, — They're leading me in paths that I must trod; — I have no fear when Jesus walks beside me, — For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.

“So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise, — They won't worry me for I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God; — He walks with me and naught of earth can harm me, — Sheltered safe within the arms of God.”  — Dottie Rambo

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.

God’s Sheep

From His leadership to His presence in the darkest of times, the Lord is always there to lead His sheep, to feed them, protect them and watch over them at all times. 

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

That should make God’s children rejoice. 

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

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Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.