Abijah

 God is with us, He is our leader. With their trumpets, his priests will sound the battle cry against you. People of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed.    2 Chronicles 13.12

We long to know God is with us when we feel outnumbered or overwhelmed, or need an answer.

The wicked King Abijah reigned in Judah for only three years before he died. ‘He committed all the sins his father had done before him, his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.’ (1 Kings 15.3) King Abijah attempted to reclaim the northern ten tribes of Israel as part of his kingdom, resulting in a war between Abijah and Jeroboam throughout Abijah’s lifetime. Second Chronicles 13 describes a battle in which Abijah triumphed over Jeroboam with His army half the size. King Abijah stood on Mount, Zamaraim and spoke out to Northern Israel about God’s covenant with David, Abijah announces in today’s verse with conviction and sincerity. The troops of Israel had come behind Judah to ambush them. But the men from Judah cried out to God, the priests blew their trumpets, and ‘at the sound of their battle cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.’ (2 Chronicles 13.15) God fought this battle.

Moments come in our lives when we must decide to depend on ourselves or God.

The lesson of reliance on God for victory is a recurring theme in the Bible. However, we should never trust a past spiritual accomplishment or season of victory. Our dependence on Him is moment by moment.

Abijah’s story encourages and gives us hope. Our dependence on God is the key to our spiritual and earthly victories. We can trust His promises.

Lord, I know You are with me in circumstances that are more than I can handle. Please help me understand that You are always there through every facet of my life and that I may depend upon You moment by moment. In Jesus' name, Amen

I depend on God alone, I put my hope in Him.    Psalm 62.5