Facing Life's Battles!

Life is filled with battles. Sometimes in the midst of the conflict we struggle wondering about the outcome. Life can be hard. The challenges we face are not always easy. However, there is the need to muster the courage to press on as we trust God for what He will ultimately do.

During the time of David, after the Ammonites disgraced some of David's men ( 1 Chronicles 19:1-5), King Hanun realized he had created a problem and hired others to aid him in battle. When Joab (commander of David's army) saw how the forces of the Ammonites and Syrians were set against them, he encouraged his brother Abishai -- having divided the fighting men into two groups -- with the following words:

"(13) BE STRONG, and let us USE OUR STRENGTH FOR OUR PEOPLE AND FOR THE CITIES OF OUR GOD, and MAY THE LORD DO WHAT SEEMS GOOD TO HIM." ( 1 Chronicles 19:13 ESV)

We need to be strong. We need to encourage one another to be strong. We need a resolve to keep holding on a little longer as we use our strength on behalf of ourselves and each other. Coupled with our own effort is to also be a sense of TRUST IN GOD to "do what seems good to Him." This two-fold focus brings to mind Paul's exhortation and encouragement to the church at Philippi.

We read. . .

"(12) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING, (13) for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU, both TO WILL AND TO WORK FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE." ( Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)

Paul noted the coupling together of our work and the work of God. What a powerful union that can and should become. It is this working with and not against that should bring us great encouragement as we face the challenges of this life.

Considering again Joab's encouragement, let us seek to develop the proper heart, conduct, motivation and confidence that should mark our lives as Christians. Let us "be strong" (that is the HEART OF FAITH), let "us use our strength" (that is the CONDUCT OF FAITH), let us do so for our own sake and the sake of others (that is the MOTIVE OF FAITH), and let us trust God to work things out in accordance with His Good Will (that is the TRUSTING CONFIDENCE OF FAITH)!

As someone has urged, "Work as though everything depends on you and pray as though everything depends on God. May we recognize our victory in life -- which John noted as being linked to "OUR FAITH" ( 1 John 5:4) -- will be experienced through the coupling together of our utmost effort to stand firm in OUR FAITHFULNESS TO GOD and OUR ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD to ultimately work out His Will on our behalf!

Have a great day TRUSTING IN THE GOOD GOD WILL DO!
Carl

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