SEEKING DIVINE HELP

“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You" (2 Chron. 20:12 NKJV).

This verse is part of Jehoshaphat’s prayer as the Moabites, Ammonites and Edomites were about to invade Judah. It speaks of wickedness, weakness, and worship.

Wickedness - “Will You not judge them?” According to v.10, Israel were not permitted to invade Ammon, Moab, and Edom when they came out of Egypt. But now these same nations are returning evil for good by invading Judah. Hence, the plea of Jehoshaphat for Divine judgment upon these nations. The answer to Jehoshaphat’s question is a resounding yes. God does judge evil nations, and He did judge Ammon, Moab, and Edom (vv. 22-23). Evil nations may at times seem to be having things their way, but sooner or later Divine judgment will fall on them.

Weakness - “We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do.” Here was a big problem - the enemy was overwhelming and Judah was weak in both soldiers (“we have no power”) and strategy (“nor do we know what to do”). This situation of Judah is often like our experiences. Many times our problems seem too great for us. We then begin to think that we are helpless and there is no way out of our situation. Indeed, the clouds hang heavy and we are in despair as our hearts are greatly discouraged. Yet God allows these times to come upon us; it provides Him with the opportunity to demonstrate His great power and wisdom. We do not need to give up. Like Jehoshaphat, troublesome times are times to seek God.

Worship - “But our eyes are upon You.” We may be overwhelmed by our problems, but as long as we can pray and seek God’s help, there is hope. Yet, in times of trouble we seldom look to God for help. Jehoshaphat wisely sought God in prayer, and it brought great victory to Judah. Asking God for help in time of trouble is such a simple thing to do. And it is the key to victory instead of defeat.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The more clearly we see the sovereignty of God, the less perplexed we are by life’s calamities!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Disobedience

In Heb. 4:6 we read, “Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience” (NKJV).

Disgrace (reproach) is the Greek word apeitheia (ἀπείθεια = ap-i'-thi-ah). It is made up of two words: “a” which without, and “peitho” which means persuade. Thus the word means disobedience, willful unbelief, obstinacy. Literally, it is an unwillingness to be persuaded, and thus describes the condition of being unpersuadable.

In Classical Greek, apeitheia means disobedience. In the Septuagint, the word also means disobedience, but was used exclusively in a religious sense. Thus to disobey God was to be unfaithful. In the NT apeitheia always speaks of disobedience to God and is often shown as the result of or with the connotation of unbelief. In Eph. 2:2; 5:6, unbelievers (unrepentant sinners) are referred to as “sons of disobedience.” Yet, in spite of man’s disobedience and rebellion God demonstrates His mercy and love (Rom. 5:8). It is only by His mercy in Christ that man’s rebellion and unbelief can be changed.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Declared to be the Son of God (Psalm 2:7)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 3:17

Bible Facts

The Bible warns against radical environmentalism (Rom. 1:25). Two thousand years ago, God’s Word stated that many would worship and serve creation rather than the Creator. Today, nature is revered as “Mother” and naturalism is enshrined (cherished as sacred).

Bible Quiz

Which disciple was called Didymus?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: What two men cursed the day of their birth? Job & Jeremiah (Job 3:1-3; Jer. 20:13-14).

That’s in the Bible

"Broken reed”

“Look! You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed, Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh King of Egypt to all who trust in him” (Isa. 36:6 KJV).

“Broken reed” is another name for an unreliable person or thing. Having questioned Hezekiah’s military strength, his alliance with Egypt, and his dependence on the Lord, the Assyrian commander then demanded that Hezekiah surrender (vv.8-10). While he was right in saying that it was foolish to depend on Egypt, Sennacherib was wrong about God. The comparison of leaning on a splintered reed meant that Pharaoh would only take advantage of those who depended on him and would turn against them. But even with the enemy at the gate threatening utter destruction, Hezekiah held fast to his faith in the Lord. What a testimony and a dynamic example for us! No matter what may confront us, no matter how terrible the trial or temptation, the pressure or distress, the threat or ridicule, the persecution or abuse, we must stand fast for the Lord.

Did You Know – Christian History

Philip Doddridge was born June 26, 1702 in London England. He was an English Nonconformist leader, educator, and hymn writer. Doddridge was plagued by ill health all of his life. He was offered the opportunity to study at Cambridge, but rejected the offer due to its Anglican affiliations. Philip, however went to a dissenting (non-conforming) seminary and became an evangelical, independent church leader.

At 27 Doddridge became the pastor of Castle Hill chapel in Northampton, England. While there, he offered a theological training school to prepare young men for ministry. Over the years Doddridge taught about 200 men, conducting classes in Hebrew, Greek, math, philosophy, Bible, and theology. Because of his many accomplishments, the University of Aberdeen conferred a Doctor of Divinity degree upon Doddridge in 1736.

Doddridge was also a prolific writer. His best known work, The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul was translated into seven languages. Reading this book led William Wilberforce, opponent of slavery, to become a Christian. Besides a New Testament commentary and other theological works, Doddridge also wrote over 400 hymns. None of these hymns were published in Philip’s own lifetime. After his death a friend collected many of his hymns and had them published. Several still appear in today’s hymnals, including “Grace! Tis a Charming Sound” and his most famous hymn “O Happy Day.” Based on 2 Chron. 15:15, the hymn expressed the joy of a personal relationship with God. Doddridge himself titled the hymn “Rejoicing in our Covenant Engagement to God.” Baptists and Methodists often use the hymn at dedication services for Christian baptism, while British royalty have used it at confirmation services for court children.

At forty-eight, at the height of his ministry, Doddridge was dying of tuberculosis. Friends collected money to send him to Portugal where it was hoped warm air and sunshine might cure him; but it was too late. Philip Doddridge died October 26, 1751 and is buried in the English cemetery in Lisbon.

A Little Humor

A preacher was visiting a man in prison. “When you were tempted,” asked the minister, “why didn’t you say, ‘get thee behind me, Satan?” “I did,” replied the prisoner, “but Satan said, ‘it doesn’t matter who leads, since we’re both going the same direction.’”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“The curse for sin finds its only remedy in the cross of Christ!”