‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ II Chronicles 20:15, 17
Busyness and a burdened life will drag on your walk with Christ like an anchor in the shallows. These things remove our focus from our Savior and creates an atmosphere of worry, anxiety and wonder. We stand in our daily battle, “not against flesh and blood,” and merely survive. But in our survival we lose sight of the cross in all things. Oh, no doubt that we acknowledge the presence and purpose of the cross, the presence and purpose of our Savior in fact, but we tend to discount the call to complete surrender.
There was no question from David that the God of Abraham, which is our God, was present and the essence of life to the shepherd boy. He was, in fact, so much united with God that when faced with a battle against a giant Philistine, he never questioned the outcome. Worry over victory, anxiety over opposition, wonder of consequences never crossed his mind. But the confidence in the One whom he served, trusted and obeyed was the capstone of strength that gave him the ability to worship and praise in reverential fear.
Lord Jesus, my days feel busy, burdened and otherwise overwhelming. I need to pull up anchor and rest more in your peace and trust more in you than I do with my life. Speak to me in the areas of needed change. I am taking my position and standing firm to see the deliverance you have for me. Thank you Lord for never leaving my side — ever!
‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ John 14:27