A Very Present Help!

When we read about Abjiah, the King of Judah in 1 Kings 15, we see an overwhelmingly negative picture. We read, “And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 15:3). In 2 Chronicles 13th chapter, the Chronicler records another incident. In the 3rd year of Abijah’s reign, Jeroboam, the King of Israel came with a mighty army of eight hundred thousand chosen men. Abijah set his valiant men of war, four hundred thousand of them in battle array and stood up upon mount Zemaraim, to reason with Jeroboam.

But while Abijah was speaking, Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind them. This was a dishonourable tactic because Jeroboam ambushed while they were still negotiating before the battle. Literally, the army of Jeroboam was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them. When Judah looked around, to their dismay the battle line was at both ends, the front and the rear. But when Judah cried to the Lord, the Lord heard their cry and struck the army of Israel.

I believe the Holy Spirit recorded this incident as an encouragement to all of us. The Chronicler records that even a bad man can be shown grace when he relies on the Lord!

Many times, when we are surrounded by financial problems, health issues and other family problems, the devil always reminds us of all our shortcomings and the sins of the past. The devil tells us that we have not been good or good enough for the Lord to come to our help. My friend, take heart; it is not so. When our cry is sincere and our dependence is total, the Lord will raise His banner on our behalf. No earthly power can ever shut off God from above us.

And what a victory, Judah enjoyed that day. Four hundred thousand men killed five hundred thousand from King Jeroboams army! God certainly defended His trusting people when they could not defend themselves.

My friend, when you feel crushed by the circumstances, look up to God. Do not give in to doubt. God is always ready to forgive us and come to our help for the Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1).

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 14th June 2017 Share: newsletter

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