Cry out to God – Be Still…

2 Chronicles 20:12 – Cry out to God

“O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

While we might not be facing a mighty army set to attack us, we have plenty of struggles and times in life when we feel powerless. This memory verse gives us the perfect formula in those moments. When we cry out to God in faith, he will deliver us.

Context: This verse is part of King Jehoshaphat’s prayer to God in the face of a threat of war from neighboring nations. What a great example for us to see Jehoshaphat turn to the LORD, begging for guidance. The chapter goes on to tell how God revealed himself to the people of Judah in response to Jehoshaphat’s prayer and the worship of the people. All the people were overjoyed at the victory. It’s quite a story, and you can read more about God’s victory here. Continue reading “2 Chronicles 20:12 – Cry out to God”

Numbers 11:1-15 – How They Really Felt

Read Numbers 11:1-15

Do you ever hold back when you’re talking to God? Do you always let him know exactly how you feel, even if you moan and whine a bit? We see here how the people of Israel didn’t hold back. We just noted how agreeable they had been in obeying God when he told them it was time to move.

The ”honeymoon phase” of their captivity was coming to an end. In other words, the people’s patience was wearing thin, and tensions in the wilderness were in high gear. How did God respond? Continue reading “Numbers 11:1-15 – How They Really Felt”

Job 7:6-21 – Cry Out to God!

Read Job 7:6-21

We finally hear the cry of Job’s heart calling out to God. These words have played over and over for Job, and he is still at a loss for what has happened to him. We sense Job’s misery, it’s palpable. My heart goes out to Job, and my maternal instincts want to take him in my arms and comfort him like only a mother can.

Job realizes that we as humans are so limited by space and time. Our lives are but a flash in the scheme of things. For Job to make such an observation shows he is able to tap into his great wisdom. He is certainly not telling God anything that God doesn’t already know. Continue reading “Job 7:6-21 – Cry Out to God!”

1 Chronicles 5:1-26 – God’s People Aren’t Perfect

Read 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

Is it helpful to recognize the flaws in God’s people? Perhaps it makes us feel better when we fall short. This reading is more than genealogies because we see examples of how God deals with those who fall into the temptation of sin. For Reuben, he lost his birthright. The tribes who bowed down to other gods were taken away into captivity.

We were also given insight into ways God rewards those who trust him. While I am not a fan of war, it is always refreshing to see leaders trusting God in those times. What sorts of conflicts are going on in your life that God can help you with?

Ezra 9:1-15 – Cry Out to God

Read Ezra 9:1-15

Have you ever been in Ezra’s shoes, totally disgusted with the sinful behaviors surrounding you? It’s hard to not become embarrassed by the way some people choose to live their lives. This frustration is nothing new. The people God has created have a long history of making bad choices. Remember Adam and Eve?

Ezra chose to take his anguish to God in prayer. As if to apologize for all mankind, Ezra speaks of polluted holy race. Clearly the implications of intermarriage in Ezra’s day, and for generations before, amplified the chasm of sin keeping people for experiencing God’s best for them. What would Adam and Eve’s lives looked like if they had resisted the serpent’s cleverness? What would the Israelite people have looked like had they not intermarried people who distracted them from God’s laws?