Against All Odds!

9Once an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. They advanced to the town of Mareshah, 10so Asa deployed his armies for battle in the valley north of Mareshah.11Then Asa cried out to the lord his God, “O  lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O  lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O  lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”

12So the lord defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled.

(2 Chronicles 14:9-12 NLT)

The odds are always in your favor if you serve the Lord.

I have no idea what you are facing today. I have no idea the trials you are in middle of.  What I do know is Asa didn’t stand a chance.  Zerah had a million soldiers!  Asa cried out to the Lord, and the Lord rescued Him.

My only thought today is, have you asked the Lord for help?  He is the only God who can deliver you from what seems impossible.  He makes all things possible!

Prayer That Changes Things

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. (‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14-16‬ NLT)

As I read and re-read this very famous passage of scripture here is what I heard the Lord told me this morning.

He reminded me that you and I are now the temple of the Lord.  The temple is being dedicated.  Solomon has given an amazing sacrifice to the Lord, offered a very sincere and earnest prayer to the Lord, and led the people to place of repentance, prayer, and praise.  Then the Lord gives this instruction.

If we, who are called by His name.

That is anyone who is a servant of God in Heaven, and has made Jesus Christ their personal Savior.

Will humble themselves and pray.

Will seek His face.

Will turn from their wicked ways.

He will hear us in heaven.

He will forgive our sins.

He will restore our land.

His eyes will be open.

His ears will be attentive to every prayer.

For He has chosen us.

He has set us apart.

We are to honor Him.

And He will watch over us.

Because we are dear to His heart.

This great, mushy, and I love it.  What I am hearing is this.  I really acknowledge that our nation needs the Lord.  We need significant change in many areas.  Many are right now praying for our Supreme Court as they hear the arguments about the sanctity of marriage.  In reading this, I wonder if we are going about this all wrong.  Should we pray for them?  Yes, absolutely!  However, the prayer that causes change is the prayer of repentance by His people. His chosen vessels.  This is the prayer that does all the amazing things listed in this wonderful passage of scripture!

So, let me one of hopefully millions.  Who will fall on their face before the Lord, repent of sin, and ask for forgiveness.

Will I/Am I forgiven of my sin?  According to Grace- yes, absolutely! At the same time, I want to be obedient to the command of scripture, and I want to see our nation changed!

Will you join me?