egyptians – Page 2 – Praying Pint

40.v. “A land flowing with milk and honey”

Exodus 3:8 I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Deuteronomy 8:7-9    For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills,  a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey,  a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.

Nehemiah 9:24  You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess.

Jeremiah 2:7   And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination.

Jeremiah 32:22   And you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Ezekiel 20:6   On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands.

A good land and a large.—The land promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18) well deserves this description. Besides Philistia, and Palestine on both sides of the Jordan, it included almost the whole of Syria from Galilee on the south, to Amanus, Taurus, and the Euphrates on the north and north-east. This tract of country is 450 miles long, and from sixty to a hundred and twenty miles broad. Its area is not much less than 50,000 square miles. Although some parts are unproductive, it is, on the whole, a region of great fertility. (Ellicott)

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,…. Which must be understood consistent with the omnipresence of God, who is everywhere, and strictly speaking cannot be said to remove from place to place, or to descend; but such a way of speaking is used, when he gives some eminent display of his power or goodness, as here in a wonderful manner he appeared in a burning bush, and manifested himself in a way of grace and kindness to his people, signifying that he would shortly save them: so Christ in our nature came down from heaven to earth, to save his spiritual Israel out of the hands of all their enemies and to bring them out of that land; the land of Egypt, where they were in bondage, and greatly oppressed. (Gill)

The purposes, plans, and will of God are at best a mystery which He exposes to whom He and when He chooses. He knows the beginning from the end. Everything in the future is known to Him. Nothing is hidden. Nothing is new. Nothing is beyond His knowing. He orchestrates His creation for His pleasure which is clothed in righteousness, holiness, justice, grace, mercy, and love. Paul, trying to explain this says; “we are the clay and He is the potter, who are we to question what He chooses to do with the creation of His hands”

His promises for His chosen people are clear. The timing of fulfilling these promises is not. However, the fact that God gave the promises means with no uncertain terms, they are already fulfilled if not seen by man. Eternal life is promised to those who believe. Eternal hell and torment are promised to those who do not. Though they are not yet realized, they are in fact already executed by the Promises given. Denying or rejecting promises does not make them void. They are sure to come because God has given them. You can know the promises of God but not believe them, just as you can know the commands of God and not follow or obey them. Belief and faith in God’s promises are essential for a person to come to repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever would believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” Belief and faith in this promise change a person. they are born again, a new creation, for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ in all they think, say, and do. Belief and faith in the promises of God change a person from a destination of eternal hell and torment to eternal life.

The promise of a land flowing with milk and honey in this life is but a small glimpse of what awaits us in heaven within the presence of the Holiness of God.

40.j. “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied”

Exodus 1:8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.

This was God’s purpose for Israel’s time in Egypt. Egypt served as a mother’s womb for Israel, a place where they rapidly grew from a large clan to a mighty nation. The nation could not grow this way in Canaan, because it was practically impossible to avoid intermarriage with the pagan and wicked inhabitants of Canaan. Egypt was so racially biased and had such an entrenched system of racial separation that Israel could grow there over several centuries without being assimilated. This growth in the face of affliction has consistently been the story of God’s people, throughout all ages – the more they are afflicted, the more they grow. As the ancient Christian writer Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Because God’s purpose was to bless Israel and fulfill His role for them in His eternal plan, no amount of affliction could defeat His purpose. The Egyptians tried their best through cruel slavery; but it did not work. The principle of Isaiah 54:17 proved true: No weapon formed against you shall prosper. The wickedness of the Egyptians could hurt the children of Israel but could never defeat God’s plan for them. Pharaoh thought it best to not kill them; but he did want them to be slaves. In the midst of their cruel and harsh service, life must have seemed hopeless to the children of Israel, and the idea that God was working out His plan must have seemed very far away – yet it was true nonetheless. (Guzik)

40.e. “But we do not want you to be uninformed”

Genesis 50:1 Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. Forty days were required for it, for that is how many are required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

Genesis 23:2     And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

Mark 5:38-39    They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

John 11:35-36     Jesus wept.  So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

Acts 8:2     Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13     But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Though pious relatives and friends have lived to a good old age, and we are confident they are gone to glory, yet we may regret our own loss, and pay respect to their memory by lamenting them. Grace does not destroy, but it purifies, moderates, and regulates natural affection. The departed soul is out of the reach of any tokens of our affection; but it is proper to show respect to the body, of which we look for a glorious and joyful resurrection, whatever may become of its remains in this world. Thus Joseph showed his faith in God, and love to his father. He ordered the body to be embalmed, or wrapped up with spices, to preserve it. (Henry)

With the loss of a sibling, parent, spouse, or child there are so many emotions that flood our hearts and minds. None of these ever reach the ear of the departed. None of these emotions of loss, love, sorrow, and heartache will be heard by those departed. It is natural to mourn the loss of a loved one or to mourn with a friend who has lost a loved one. Many times our sorrow in their death is because we have left some things unsaid or undone. Maybe we haven’t communicated to them just how much they meant to us or how much they have influenced our lives. We may have had hopes for their lives. We mourn and it is natural. The loss of a loved one hurts our heart. Nothing could hurt the heart more than a loved one who dies not knowing or committing to God’s love, grace, and mercy through Jesus Christ. Let it be our goal to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do, and when our time on earth is complete and there is mourning for our passing, let it be short-lived and turned into rejoicing and praise because we have passed from death to life with our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

39.k. “For every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

Genesis 46:31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ When Pharaoh calls you and says, What is your occupation?’ you shall say, Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

Genesis 47:1 So Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan. They are now in the land of Goshen.” And from among his brothers he took five men and presented them to Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, as our fathers were.”

“For every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians”. There are many comments and thoughts as to why this is so, but for whatever reason, the Egyptians looked down on shepherds with disgrace, aversion, disdain, disgust, contempt, etc…. Joseph knew this and also had to have been led by God in his thoughts. Joseph was not the least bit worried about telling Pharaoh that his family came from a line of shepherds. Joseph was not ashamed to say this was his family. He also may have had thoughts of trying to keep his family away from the Egyptian culture and their customs and to mark his family in such a way that the Egyptians would willingly stay away from them.

God has a plan for every life if they would but seek Him first in their hearts and minds. For some, this may result in high-profile positions with great influence and power, and responsibility. For others, it may result in occupations and positions less so. Learning to be content in God’s plan for our lives and occupations is not an easy thing. In the guise of contentment, some are just lazy misfits with no drive to succeed or be under the influence of God’s direction. Likewise, there are those who strive for wealth, power, status, and worldly recognition outside of God’s influence in their lives and they are never content. Both of these groups of people and everyone in between has a commonality, God is not in their lives. He is not first in their lives. They are influenced by worldly passions and what the world deems proper and important. Being content can only come to the hearts and minds of those who have learned to follow after God and seek Him first, and purposing to honor and glorify Him in all they think, say, and do. They will have been given discernment and be able to hear the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirits leading in their lives and being able to distinguish worldly from Godly. There is no God-ordained occupation below any of us.

Early in my career I had a garbage route and picked up garbage in a small town with a pickup truck. I also cleaned toilets in an administration building for a biological vaccine manufacturing company. I was also a master plumber. In all that I did God gave me purpose and contentment. At the end of my career, I was a CEO of a biological vaccine manufacturing company. I had no formal post-high school education. God will use and place those where He chooses and content are they who find their contentment in Him.

39. “Famine had spread over all the land”

Genesis 41:56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

Psalms 105:16-17 When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

In the names of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph owned the Divine providence. 1. He was made to forget his misery. 2. He was made fruitful in the land of his affliction. The seven plenteous years came, and were ended. We ought to look forward to the end of the days, both of our prosperity and of our opportunity. We must not be secure in prosperity, nor slothful in making good use of opportunity. Years of plenty will end; what thy hand finds to do, do it; and gather in gathering time. The dearth came, and the famine was not only in Egypt, but in other lands. Joseph was diligent in laying up, while the plenty lasted. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when the famine came. Joseph was engaged in useful and important labours. Yet it was in the midst of this his activity that his father Jacob said, Joseph is not! What a large portion of our troubles would be done away if we knew the whole truth! Let these events lead us to Jesus. There is a famine of the bread of life throughout the whole earth. Go to Jesus, and what he bids you, do. Attend to His voice, apply to him; he will open his treasures, and satisfy with goodness the hungry soul of every age and nation, without money and without price. But those who slight this provision must starve, and his enemies will be destroyed. (Henry)

Seven years of plenty and seven years of famine are God-ordained. How impressive it is that Pharaoh would be inclined to listen to Joseph and believe him. Right now we live in a time where man will try to make sense of God-Ordained occurrences through worldly wisdom and attribute causes to a host of meaningless reasons for purposes of financial gain and restrictive policies to gain more money and power for themselves.

Each believer should be seeking discernment from God to understand the signs of the times, the famine of the Word of God that is prevalent, and how easily worldly wisdom is being accepted as fact and truth.

36.d. “God’s Faithfulness”

Genesis 12:10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.

“And the Lord plagued Pharaoh.” The mode of the divine interference is suited to have the desired effect on the parties concerned. As Pharaoh is punished, we conclude he was guilty in the eye of heaven in this matter. He committed a breach of hospitality by invading the private abode of the stranger. He further infringed the law of equity between man and man in the most tender point, by abstracting, if not with violence, at least with a show of arbitrary power which could not be resisted, a female, whether sister or wife, from the home of her natural guardian without the consent of either. A deed of ruthless self-will, also, is often rendered more heinous by a blamable inattention to the character or position of him who is wronged. So it was with Pharaoh. Abram was a man of blameless life and inoffensive manners. He was, moreover, the chosen and special servant of the Most High God. Pharaoh, however, does not condescend to inquire who the stranger is whom he is about to wrong; and is thus unwittingly involved in an aggravated crime. But the hand of the Almighty brings even tyrants to their senses. “And his house.” The princes of Pharaoh were accomplices in his crime Genesis 12:15, and his domestics were concurring with him in carrying it into effect. But even apart from any positive consent or connivance in a particular act, men, otherwise culpable, are brought into trouble in this world by the faults of those with whom they are associated. “On account of Sarai.” Pharaoh was made aware of the cause of the plagues. (Barnes)

Pharaoh had discovered in the plague the wrath of the God of Abraham, he did not venture to treat him harshly, but rather sought to mitigate the anger of his God, by the safe-conduct which he granted him on his departure. But Abram was not justified by this result, as was very apparent from the fact, that he was mute under Pharaoh’s reproofs, and did not venture to utter a single word in vindication of his conduct, as he did in the similar circumstances described in Genesis 10:11-12. The saving mercy of God had so humbled him, that he silently acknowledged his guilt in concealing his relation to Sarah from the Egyptian king. (Keil and Delitzsch )

It would appear from this section of Scripture that Abraham, known for his acts of faith, did not exercise faith in this instance. Scripture says that we learn, grow, and mature line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. In times when our faith is lacking God remains faithful and like in this case may perform signs, wonders, and acts that are in line with His faithfulness overshadowing our lack of faith. If we have any mind at all we more than likely can recall past times of our own lack of faith and unbelief in God, His Power, Might, and Love over a situation or trial we are expecting or current in. I have to think that this time for Abraham was a learning one, a time when his faith grew, not out of his faithfulness but out of God’s.

Let our hearts grow and mature in knowledge and understanding of the mighty power and sovereignty of God over all of creation – and whatever situation we are expecting or currently in.

31.x. “He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them”

Matthew 8:14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Mark 1:32-34   That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Luke 4:40   Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

Exodus 15:26  saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.”

Matthew rightly understood this as a partial fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, which primarily refers to spiritual healing, but also definitely includes physical healing. In this, Matthew showed Jesus as the true Messiah in delivering people from the bondage of sin and the effects of a fallen world.

The deaf could hear. The blind could see. The leper cleansed. The cripple could stand. The paralytic could walk. The sick were cured. Demons were cast out. All of this at the touch or word from Jesus. Can you imagine how people would be talking to one another. There were be those who were personally healed or those whose family member or friend were, and they would tell others. These others might believe this to be true but their first thought might have been “you’re crazy”, but as the word spread of the healing that Jesus did more and more people would come running to find Him. There was no magic or corporate healing of all at once. Each person had a personal encounter with Jesus. As the word spread of all of this healing faith had to increase too. Faith in what Jesus could do because of what He had done and was doing.

Physical healing is most welcomed by the afflicted. They know their affliction, pain, and difficulty. Relief from whatever was their affliction certainly was desired. When word of what Jesus was doing spread these desiring to be healed were seeking Jesus. In some cases it might not have been the afflicted person themselves but rather a friend or family member on their behalf. People desired and then went seeking.

When we desire to know Jesus Christ there is a seeking that quickly follows and is not easily diminished. It is not fully on our own that this desire and seeking spring up. No, most assuredly it is first because God has placed in our hearts a foundational seed of knowledge of Him, sin and righteousness, good and bad, right and wrong, true and false. He sent His one and only Son, full of power, wonder, might, love, grace, and mercy, to redeem all who would believe. Desiring and seeking spring up in our hearts and points us directly to Jesus Christ. It is when we see our sinful state and His holiness and offer of forgiveness that we then humbly surrender, believing, trusting, relying, and cling to Jesus Christ for eternal salvation and life.

11.w. “Kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh and God says, “All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs”

Nahum 3:12 All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs— if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater. Behold, your troops are women in your midst. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars.

Habakkuk 1:10     At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it.

Isaiah 19:16   In that day the Egyptians will be like women, and tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them.

Jeremiah 51:30    The warriors of Babylon have ceased fighting; they remain in their strongholds; their strength has failed; they have become women; her dwellings are on fire; her bars are broken.

Psalms 107:16    For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

Isaiah 45:1-2     Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,

As people, we build fortresses around ourselves to protect us. The better the fortress the more secure we get the impression and sense of impregnable protection. We can see this in nations that build armies and weapons systems as virtual fortress walls of protection. We can see it in the ancient Walls of China. We can see it in security and alert systems. All of these virtual and physical “fortresses” are designed to give us peace of mind against the outbreak of wars, lawlessness, and other acts of violence. They have been needed and used since the fall of mankind. As individuals, we too, build fortresses. Our homes are protected by deterrents like door locks, deadbolts, security cameras, fences, walls, and alarm systems. These are designed to give us protection and warning against intruders, looters, and violence. Some will open carry or conceal and carry firearms where allowed. Their fortress is the firearm. We build other fortresses too. We build financial fortresses where we amass money/savings for security in the future. There are other items we buy and store to complete our fortress of security. Are they necessary? I would have to think it is. Until the return of Christ, there will continue to be those whose hearts and minds are bent on doing evil. They are intentional in this choice of sinful behavior. The problem with fortresses is we soon become more and more reliant in them. When this occurs our reliance and focuses on Jesus Christ seems to change. We rest in our fortress and confuse this needed safety with no need for Jesus Christ in our lives, we will fall to the belief that we have power, self-reliance, and self-security. Pride in our fortress replaces the need for Jesus Christ in our daily lives. The warnings given in scripture warn us against this potential pitfall. When we are secure in our fortress(es) more than our need for Jesus Christ we are open to all kinds of temptations of neglect and complacency of God’s Word, humble service, seeking His will, seeking His guidance, listening for His quiet small voice, following and obeying, trusting and relying on and in Jesus Christ. God has demonstrated and communicated His anger against all who rely more on their fortresses/pride/power than humbly serving, thanking, worshiping, praising, honoring, and glorifying Him. This goes for individuals and nations. He will break down the iron bars of our fortresses and show us how feeble our attempts are at self-security, self-reliance, and self-preservation. Fortresses are not bad but the reliance on them over Jesus Christ is very bad and leads to all kinds of sinful thoughts and actions.

9.b. “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them”

Joel 1:2 Hear this, you elders; give ear, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers? Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.

Exodus 10:1-2   Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them,  and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD.”

Deuteronomy 6:7     You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Psalms 44:1   O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:

Psalms 78:3-8    things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Psalms 145:4    One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

Isaiah 38:19   The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness.

We are instructed to speak of God to our families about His faithfulness and what He has done in our lives. There are moments in our lives where God has shut the mouths of lions, split the Red Sea, healed, and most importantly softened our heart so that our ear might hear and our mind understand His holiness, our sinfulness, and redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ. Our salvation and other grace and mercy acts of God should ever be told in those God moments with our children and their children. God’s acts of grace, mercy, love, power, and might do happen in the lives of those who continue to grow in their faith. If you are in a dry spell is it because of your lack of faith? Or is it a time of testing to grow your faith? Or is it a time of trials to draw you back to faith in Jesus Christ and the power and might in the palm of His hands? We know from Scripture that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” We also know Scripture says “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”

How are we to have faith stories about how Jesus Christ delivered, moved, encouraged, and gave refuge and power in our lives if we are neglectful and complacent in time in God’s Word? The truth is we will not. Our days will run on and on being the same day after day in our self-reliant and self-centered ways. No stories of how Jesus Christ worked in our life. No acts of power. No acts of wonder. No acts of …… We will see the hand of Jesus Christ in our lives and be able to tell wonderful and glorious stories of His acts of grace, mercy, wonder, and love when we desire and seek to be in His Word and then intentionally choose to humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow, trust, and obey. Start your journey with Christ anew. Spend time in His word, grow in faith, and watch, see, and proclaim the great acts of His power in your life.

2.l. But with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles

2 Chronicles 20:15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.

Exodus 14:13-14     And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.  The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Deuteronomy 1:29-30    Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them.  The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes,

Isaiah 41:10-16    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.  You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.  For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Psalms 17:1-2   Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!  From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!

Isaiah 43:1-2    But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Deuteronomy 31:8    It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

2 Chronicles 32:8    With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

The battle is not ours. We may not be fighting a typical war but we do have battles don’t we? We battle with addiction, greed, pride, complacency, lust, hate, coveting, health, relationships, finances, employment, sickness, self-centeredness, etc….. We may not be facing an overwhelming army but the battles we face are none the less overpowering and seemingly uncontrollable. We are made aware of some of these battles as we read God’s word, those that reside inside of our heart, mind, and soul. The battles with self and our yielding to its sinful desires. We also battle with attacks from Satan and his deceptions, lies, temptations.

Other battles come into our lives very forcefully and are not necessarily brought on by something we did or didn’t do. Some of these are just because we live in a fallen world filled with fallen people, but that does not mean they are not unknown or purposed by God. We never fully understand and know the plans and purposes of God but we do know that God says; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” and “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God’s love is steadfast. His grace, love, and mercy are unconditional.

We fear the unknown, overwhelming, and overpowering. We play many scenarios out in our head and most of them have very bad outcomes. We seem to play this tune in our head over and over again thinking that we might find some way out of our troubles.

God tells us to believe, trust, and rely on Him. The battles are all His. If we truly believe they are His, what do we have to fear? This is so easy to say but harder to put into practice. Why is that? If we are void of Him, for most of our daily lives it is very very certain He will be hard to believe in when the battle is at our door. Living in a void of Him throughout most, if not all, of the day or week does not grow us into a mature, thankful, reliant, hopeful, faithful, obedient Christians. In fact, living in a void of Him allows us to live and do what seems right in our own eyes. We end up traveling far down the path of life alone and in our own wisdom and power for so long that when the battle lines form we are overwhelmed, powerless, angered, and afraid. This is sin and sinful. So what are we to do? How can we get off of this destructive and unfruitful path to a path of victory?

Recognize it, confess it, turn away from it, and cling to, rely on, and trust in Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Purpose with all your heart, mind, soul and strength to seek, desire, honor, follow, obey, and trust Jesus Christ. Feed on His word, think hard on it, live in His presence, and keep your heart and mind focused on Him continually. Do not let the world entice you away from the blessings, courage, power, might, and strength found in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.