A Panic Sent By God

 

Ever so often I come across bible verses that lit my eyes and charge my heart with faith. Let me summarise what I ‘stumbled’ into this morning during devotion:

Saul had been recently anointed Israel’s first king. Israel was in constant tug of war with the Philistines. Jonathan (Saul’s son) was in a bullish mood. He left Israel’s camp with his armour-bearer and attacked a small group of Philistines (20 of them) in their own outpost. You’d be right to say that was a hugely brave and risky move. Yet in hindsight, we can say a faith-filled move too. After all, faith is a brave move of trust.

But something fascinating happened in the Jonathan story…

“Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.”
(1 Samuel 14:15 NIV)

A panic sent by God? Yes, a panic sent by GOD.

That’s just awesome! And today, I rest in God’s sense of ‘humour’; He is in control of everything that concerns me. I charge you, rest in God. And if need be, He will send panic to the camp of those that seek to do you harm. Not one hair of your head will perish. No, not one!

A panic sent by God is devastation to evil men and peace to those that put their trust in Him.

I say you REST!

God Reassures: Promises from Isaiah 43

Tonight at prayer meeting, I was reminded of God’s solid promises over me personally and His children corporately. They are numerous in the Bible. But our minds are prone to wandering. Our hearts are wired to fear in times of uncertainties. Hence we need reminding of these solid assurances from God over us. I was massively encouraged and reassured tonight; God is for me. I hope you can say the same both for yourself and to yourself. God bless you.

Verse 1:
But now thus says the Lord,
He who created you, O Jacob [insert your name],
He who formed you, O Israel [insert your name]:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.

Verse 2:
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.

Verse 11:
I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no saviour.

Verse 13:
Also henceforth I am He;
there is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?”

Verse 16:
Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters

Verse 19:
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.

Marks Of The True Christian

Love one another with brotherly affection.

Outdo one another in showing honor.

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Live in harmony with one another.

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

Never be wise in your own sight.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

(Romans 12:10-21 ESV)

And now, may the God of peace help us live to the measure of His unfailing love and grace in and through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Grace and peace to you.

Mightier Than They!

And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”
(Genesis 26:16 ESV)

It’s one thing to be wealthy and blessed, it’s another thing to be man or woman of influence over a person, a group, a city or in this case, a nation! Isaac had it all. His influence was almost without limit in his days. He just had to move and shift base. The Philistines felt threatened by his wealth and influence.

But let’s not miss the secret of Isaac’s influence… Last night I shared about his commitment to releasing himself (sow) in a season of famine, an act that made him reap a hundredfold In The Same Year. That really should have been the second instalment of this post. Because, for Isaac, sowing was a consequence of something else: obedience to divine instruction. Read this:

“And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” So Isaac settled in Gerar.”
(Genesis 26:2-6 ESV)

The sowing was a demonstration of his obedience to what God said to him. “And Isaac settled in Gerar”. That line alone is powerful and could take another blog post or two to unpack it. Obedience to divine instructions and God-centred principles is the key to divine blessing. There are blessings and there are blessings. If you carefully invest £100, you might get £5 as interest. Call that a blessing if you must. But no, I’m talking of divine increase and lifting… the kind of blessings only God can give!

For me, I believe there’s lifting when the world is saying there’s casting down. Most economies are declaring doom and gloom. Last night Italy, France and Spain (and others) saw their credit rating downgraded. Nigeria is fighting a battle over subsidy (actually corruption I must say). The United States is not immune to this world crisis either. And here’s God promising to make me mighty and increase me. You know what? I choose to go with God. I choose to believe God and take His word. I choose to believe He will increase me on every side.

What do you choose to believe!? Oh for grace to walk in obedience to Him so we can enjoy the best of Him. Lord, make us mightier than they!

SELAH!