God Is On Your Side

“We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 GNT

When you feel overwhelmed, it’s important to go to God in prayer and confess your inability and inadequacy. If you’re afraid, you need to be honest and tell God exactly how you feel.

In 2 Chronicles 20:12, Jehoshaphat prays, “We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help”. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like there was a problem in your marriage, your career, or somewhere in your life that you thought was overwhelming? You start at the beginning of the week thinking maybe you can handle it, but by Wednesday you’re out of power.

Have you ever felt like that? You pick up the newspaper, and it looks like the bad guys are winning. The moral and spiritual climate of our society is collapsing. It looks like the bad guys are winning in many ways.

So, what do you do? You say, “God, we’re powerless, and we don’t know what to do.” You tell God exactly how you feel. Your feelings fluctuate, but God remains the same. Take your eyes off the bad guys and put them on God.

It’s interesting when you compare verse 12, where it says, “We are helpless” to verse 6, where Jehoshaphat says, “You are powerful and mighty, and no one can oppose you” (2 Chronicles 20:6). When God has power, it doesn’t matter if you’re powerless. If you put your trust in Him, He’ll take care of you.

I don’t have to have power. You don’t either. And you don’t have to pretend that you do. All you have to do is trust in God…the One who is on your side and has all the power that you need.

A Crown of Life Is Your Reward

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold.” - 1 Peter 1:7 NLT

God has promised to “meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV). But with every promise there is a condition. God wants you to learn to trust him more so that he can meet your needs and bless your life.

You learn to trust God more by having your faith stretched by trials. The more your faith is stretched, the more God is able to bless your life.

Last week, I mentioned two common trials that God uses to develop your faith so you can trust Him more…the Pressure Test and People Test. Here’s the other two:

3. The Persistence Test

The Persistence Test answers the question: “Will you keep your commitments?” Life is about making commitments. The problem we have today is that most people are half committed to two dozen things instead of being totally committed to the one or two things in life that really matter for now and eternity. That’s a waste!

While weak people give excuses, wise people find the time and way to do what they say they will do. Do you want to be a weak person or a wise person? The Persistence Test shows what kind of character you’re developing.

4. The Priorities Test

This is the most important test, and it asks, “Who will be first in your life?”

How do you know if God is really the first priority in your life? Ask yourself three questions: What do you think about the most? Where does your money go first? How do you spend your time? Your answers will reveal the priorities in your life.

God has eternal rewards in store for you if you pass the Priorities Test. The Bible promises, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 NLT).

A crown of life is a symbol of all that God wants to do in your life…all the blessings He wants to bestow on you, all the needs He wants to meet, and all the rewards He wants to give you in heaven. What a deal!

Count It ALL Joy!

Consider it a sheer gift (joy), friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2-4 MSG

I would be the first to admit I do not like trials, and I am sure that I am not the only one. However, when I look back over my life, I can say that I have grown tremendously because of the trials I faced and overcame.

The book of James tells us to count it all joy when we face various trails, tests, challenges. Now if I can be truthful, joy is the last thing on anyone’s mind when they face difficulties in life. When trails come the first thing one may do is try to find a way not to deal with the trial or try to find a way out. Another person may get in defense mode and want to fight. Others may get pitiful and ask... why me? When we face trials there is always something to learn.

It’s easy to say our faith is strong and that we trust God. It’s only when we are tested will we know how strong our faith is and if we truly trust God. God wants us as believers to increase in faith and to increase our trust in Him. The only way that will happen is when we are tested. Therefore, tests, trials, challenges, hardships are good for us. They help our character to develop; we become more Christlike. They help us to mature and develop in the spirit. We grow closer to God. We experience the mighty hand of God and learn more about Him during these times. Our confidence in Him grows and we learn to truly rely on Him.

Testing and trials are like the weights you use when you are working out at the gym. You start off by lifting light weights (dumbbells) but as you become stronger, you can lift more weights. Though it may be painful in the beginning, there is joy when you see the end results. So, it is as you face trials after trials. You will not enjoy it at the present moment, but in the end if you do not buckle under the pressure, you will be joyful with the end results. You will learn what it means to have patience and endurance as you go through the trials. It is not in your own strength, but your reliance is on God. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts; Zechariah 4:6

As we are on a journey, we are in a race, we must be determined to cross the finish line. The tests and trials equip us so that we become mature and strong so we can complete the journey. Not just complete the race but we can finish strong!