Life as we all know is full of challenges but we are encouraged by Jesus to stay positive in the midst of it, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
Friends, cheer up and put your hope in God because your negative disposition to life will not change the situation. Today let us take a cursory look at another interesting story about the King of Judah and his battles.
“During the time that Ahaz son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel attacked Jerusalem, but the attack sputtered out. When the Davidic government learned that Aram had joined forces with Ephraim (that is, Israel), Ahaz and his people were badly shaken. They shook like trees in the wind. Then God told Isaiah, “Go and meet Ahaz. Take your son Shear-jashub (A-Remnant-Will-Return) with you. Meet him south of the city at the end of the aqueduct where it empties into the upper pool on the road to the public laundry. Tell him, Listen, calm down. Don’t be afraid. And don’t panic over these two burnt-out cases, Rezin of Aram and the son of Remaliah. They talk big but there’s nothing to them. Aram, along with Ephraim’s son of Remaliah, have plotted to do you harm. They’ve conspired against you, saying, ‘Let’s go to war against Judah, dismember it, take it for ourselves, and set the son of Tabeel up as a puppet king over it.’ But God, the Master, says, “It won’t happen. Nothing will come of it Because the capital of Aram is Damascus and the king of Damascus is a mere man, Rezin. As for Ephraim, in sixty-five years it will be rubble, nothing left of it. The capital of Ephraim is Samaria, and the king of Samaria is the mere son of Remaliah. If you don’t take your stand in faith, you won’t have a leg to stand on.”
Isaiah 7:1-9 MSG
Interesting facts to note here:
📍The enemy has already attempted an attack but he failed without Ajah’s knowledge
📍Ajah was fearful and destabilized when he realized the enemy was at his gate.
📍God’s strong support was reaffirmed to Him
📍God’s candid advice to all: if you don’t take your stand in faith, you won’t have a leg to stand in.
📍 The enemy has already attempted an attack but he failed without Ajah’s knowledge.
Do you realize that the enemy is always targeting to destroy you? It’s an ongoing battle that we are not aware of because God is always shielding us away from these battles. If he allows us to see and know about these battles every time we are attacked, we will have become ‘vegetables’ out of fear. God rules in the unseen realm and all you need to do is to solely lean on him because he is known as the Host of the Army of Heaven (Chief in command of all battles.)
“In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians 2:15 NLT
📍Ajah was fearful and destabilized when he realized the enemy was at his gate.
Fear is our greatest enemy! You lose battles to fear of the unknown and the word of God gave us 364 verses in the Scriptures each for each day as a reminder not to entertain fear. Ajah and his people were shaking like trees that are tossed by the wind. God had already stepped into the situation immediately after the enemy launched an attack and all Ajah knew to do was to run to God for help. The same story happened to another king, but he had a different approach to it.
“Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar’” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:2-4 ESV
Jehoshaphat was afraid quite all right because he was human but he did not stop there, he made up his mind to seek the Lord. The Lord gave him victory without him physically fighting the battle. Fear has torment and it erodes great testimonies but it can be subdued when we learn to recall the mighty wonders of God. You need to realize it’s a demonic spirit that you can take authority over and then invite the spirit of faith unto you.
📍God’s strong support was reaffirmed to Him. Having access to God’s continual support is simple, draw closer to Him. You do not have to be perfect but have a heart that desires God, and be committed and consistent.
Revealing His love
Jummy Akinjide
