God is a strong defense even when you are facing impossible and overwhelming situations.
He is known as Jehovah-nissi, the Lord who gives me victory.
Exodus 17:15 KJV And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi.
Exodus 17:15 CEV Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord gives me victory.”
Exodus 17:15 NKJV And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner.
Moses called the name of his altar, Jehovah-Nissi, “the Lord is my banner” or “the Lord gives me victory.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 GNT Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.
- Have you ever had a day when everyone and everything seemed to conspire against you?
- What do you do when everything seems to come against you?
You need to know that God defends His people. This happened many times to God’s people in the Old Testament. Often their enemies came against them with such ferocity and in great numbers that their hearts failed.
2 Chronicles 20:1-4 NKJV It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
Shortly after the disasters at Ramoth Gilead, three mighty armies attacked from across the Jordan River. Jehoshaphat heard that this great army was on the western shore of the Dead Sea and was headed for Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 20 gives a great example of how God defends His people when they face overwhelming odds. Israel’s enemies outnumbered them three to one. It appeared that God’s people were going to be defeated.
Sometimes you just feel like everything is against you. What do you do when it seems that everything is against you? What did God do when overwhelming numbers of enemies were against His people? This story provides principles that we can learn. Here are some lessons to help when fighting for survival.
What can we do when it seems that everything is against us?
When more is against you than is for you…Turn to God First!
We must learn to go directly to God. Most people turn to God after they have tried everything else. We go to parents, friends or some specialist. We try every remedy, seek advice, and then try to find better advice. When we have exhausted all our options, we turn to God.
Turn to God first.
That is what Jehoshaphat did.
In 2 Chronicles 20:1, 3 When the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. He was afraid, so he decided to ask the Lord what to do. As soon as Jehoshaphat heard that the enemy came for battle, he decided to ask God what to do.
In 2 Chronicles 19 the whole nation had returned to God. After the blessing, there was a great battle. Have you ever faced that? You just conquered a great mountain and then you were plunged into a deep valley. When this happened, Jehoshaphat was terrified and he turned to the Lord and asked for help. It is interesting to see how people act when trouble comes.
How do you react when everything seems to turn against you?
When things turn upside down, it is normal to become afraid. What we do next is what is important. Does fear drive you to give up before the battle begins? When you become afraid, do you turn to God and give the battle to Him? When the enemy comes in, turn up your faith and expect more from God.
Jehoshaphat turned to God… then he talked to God.
When more is against you than is for you… talk to God about your situation. Jehoshaphat talked to God about his situation.
2 Chronicles 20:5 After everyone from Judah and Jerusalem came together at the LORD’s temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the new courtyard and prayed…
Remember that God wants you to talk to Him.
When Jehoshaphat started praying, He asked God three questions.
2 Chronicles 20:6 NIV Are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.
Whenever we face overwhelming situations, we need to remember who God is. Face your situation with your focus to God. Who is the Lord your God? We must see that the Lord our God is the Almighty God. He is the maker of heaven and earth and nothing is impossible with Him.
After Jehoshaphat asked “Are you not?” then he asked God: “Did you not?”
2 Chronicles 20:7 NLT Did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived?
We need to remember what God has done for us in the past. Remember all of the miracles God has already done in your life. On the cross He transformed our faults and failures into full and free forgiveness. In the grave… He turned death into life. Remember the many times God has come through for you. Has He saved you? Has He healed you? Has He provided for your need?
Then Jehoshaphat asked God: “Will You not?”
2 Chronicles 20:12 O our God, will you not stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help.
We can ask God for the same help. The enemy was too strong and they felt powerless. Your circumstances may be different, but God has not changed. We remember what God has done in the past. If He has helped His people in the past, He will do it again. We need His help one more time.
When you are facing overwhelming situations…
- Turn to God first.
- Talk to God about your situation.
- Tell God exactly how you feel.
That is what Jehoshaphat did. When Jehoshaphat and his people were outnumbered 3-to-1, he told God: “We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us,” [2 Chronicles 20:12b].
Have you ever felt powerless and you did not know what to do? You felt like you had no control over what was happening. Your world was spinning out of control and you were about to go under. You can tell God what you are seeing, how you feel, and what you need. Tell Him that it seems that the enemy is winning and that you feel powerless. God can handle your honest heartfelt feelings. When you are facing overwhelming situations, don’t pretend that you have all the power and all of the answers. Turn your eyes to the Lord and trust in His mighty power.
When you are facing overwhelming situations…
- Turn to God first
- Talk to God about your situation
- Tell God exactly how you feel
- Trust God to help you
Jehoshaphat said: “We are powerless… We do not know what to do… but our eyes are upon you,” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV).
When you feel powerless, do not focus on the problem. Keep your eyes on God.
Have you listened to yourself when you feel overwhelmed? Friends ask, “How are you doing?” and you say, “OK…under the circumstances.” “Under the circumstances?” What are we doing under the circumstances? We need to pay attention to what we are submitting to. We need to get on top of our circumstances. We need to live above our circumstances.
Someone said: “Circumstances are like a mattress. Get on top of them and you’ll rest. Get underneath and you’ll suffocate.”
Where have you put your eyes right now?
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged… for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Turn your attention on the God who cannot fail. You have been fighting relentless battles that belong to God. You have been using all your will-power and energy. You keep telling yourself… I’m going to make this work. You have tried to encourage yourself and you have said, “This isn’t going to get the best of me.”
God says: “This battle is not yours, it is Mine!” “You are of God little children and have overcome them because greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world.” God is telling you: “I have already invested all of My family resources.” “I have given My Son and My Spirit.” God is telling you: “I will supply all of your needs.” He is saying, “I will make this work out.”
We need to understand what it means when the battle is the Lord’s. God has promised to be your help and your God. He is able to help you! Let God be God! You can trust God to be God.
2 Chronicles 20:17 NLT You will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you… Do not be afraid or discouraged… for the Lord is with you!
This is a challenge when you put your trust in God. This is a sign of confidence and faith to stand still and watch the Lord’s victory.
This is what the Lord says for you to do.
2 Chronicles 20:20 NIV84 “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”
You can stand strong with faith in God and what He has said. You can stand on the 7,000 promises God has made.
When you are facing overwhelming situations…
- Turn to God first
- Talk to Him about the situation
- Tell Him exactly how you feel
- Trust that He will help you
- Then… thank God in advance.
Before anything happened, Jehoshaphat told his army to start singing and praising God. He told everyone to “Give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love endures forever,” (2 Chronicles 20:21). While they were surrounded by their enemies, everyone was told to start singing and praising God.
2 Chronicles 20:22 NIV84 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men… who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
There is power in praise and worship. There is power in expecting and trusting God to act. There is power in thanking God before anything happens. If you are still facing impossible and overwhelming situations start praising God. Praise Him in faith.
