God at Work

We have to believe that God is working behind the scenes on our behalf. This is where hope begins! In everything we do, in every circumstance we face, if we believe in the saving work of Jesus, then we are never facing anything alone.

If we believe… A believer is one who has come into contact with the Bible’s message about Jesus, recognized its value, and believed it in his heart. This person increasingly allows Jesus to change his thoughts, words, and actions — little by little over time — as he learns and grows. This is the evidence of true salvation.

If we belong to Jesus, then He also belongs to us (John 14:21). His Word is ours to put into action, His promises are ours to claim, and His deeds are our help and protection (Psalm 18:2-3). We are hidden in Him and protected by Him…

• Hidden with Christ in God — Colossians 3:1-4
  
• Hidden in the shadow of His wing — Psalm 91:4
  
• Hidden in the cleft of the Rock and covered with God’s own hand — Exodus 33:22

What enemy can defeat one who is covered by the mighty hand of God? You may look and feel defeated right now, but you very much are not! Put on some worship music… Search for ten scriptures that apply to your situation and write them down… Allow the Word and power of God to wash over you and to strengthen you in this moment. You are not alone.

• “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
  
• “The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me; Your [unwavering] lovingkindness, O Lord, endures forever—Do not abandon the works of Your own hands.” Psalm 138:8

Remember Joshua as He fought the battle of Jericho. The city was surrounded by seemingly insurmountable walls (6 feet thick, 46 feet tall), but “the walls came tumbling down.” Did Joshua break down the walls??? No, that was God. The people marched around the city ONCE per day, then SEVEN times on the seventh day, worshipping as they went, and God made the walls fall down. They believed God, followed His instructions, and waited on Him. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? (Joshua 6, Answers in Genesis)

PROMISE: “…Shout! For the Lord has given you this city!”

Joshua speaking to the people before the walls came down, Joshua 6:16b

Now let’s remember David as he fought Goliath. David was a 15-year-old shepherd boy, and Goliath was somewhere between 6’6″ and 9’6″ tall, wearing armor that weighed 125 pounds and carrying a giant spear. Goliath taunted God and the entire Israelite army, but the child David was the only one brave enough to take on the giant. But David didn’t use human reasoning, heavy armor, or a mighty sword to beat Goliath. David used his shepherding experiences, his trusty slingshot, and one of three smooth stones he gathered from a nearby stream. Standing seemingly alone and unprotected before his formidable foe, David defeated Goliath in one clean shot. (1 Samuel 17)

PROMISE: “And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues His people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and He will give you to us!”

David speaking to Goliath before the battle, 1 Samuel 17:47

Finally, remember Gideon as he fought the Midianites. Gideon was the least of the least. His clan was the “weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh” and he was the “least in his entire family” (Judges 6:15). Did Gideon defeat the Midianites? No, God did that through Gideon!

• Gideon had a low view of himself, but God called him a “mighty hero.” (Judges 6:12)
  
• Gideon doubted that he was hearing from God… he even honestly questioned God… so…
  
  • God answered Gideon — Judges 6:13-14
    
  • God waited on Gideon — Judges 6:16-18
    
  • God proved Himself to Gideon — Judges 6:19-22

Gideon believed and followed the Lord. In the end we see Gideon and an army of 300 men hand-picked by God Himself (Judges 7:7) defeating the Midianites with nothing but trumpets, torches, and clay pots. God brought confusion on the enemy’s camp until they defeated themselves. God was with Gideon, and God defeated the enemy on Gideon’s behalf. Will He not do the same for us?

PROMISE: The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

God speaking to Gideon before defeating the Midianites, Judges 6:16

Every promise in each of these stories was spoken before the battle even began, and that is the power we have access to even now.

Every promise in the Bible is ours. Each one applies to the specific and individually unique needs in our lives. If God did it for believers like Joshua, David, and Gideon, then He will do it for us as we learn to believe and trust in Him, as well.

What Bible promises can you speak today in advance of your own battle? Write them down and begin speaking them over the walls, the giants, the vicious Midianites in your own life.

Were these men so perfect that we are now disqualified by how much we mess up? No, they believed God in the midst of their imperfections, and that is all we must do.

Were these men God’s favorites and maybe He doesn’t love or choose us as much as He loved and chose them? No, let’s not believe such lies spoken over us by the enemy! Here’s what the Bible has to say:

• Before God began to create the earth, He was thinking about you. “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4)
• God chose you because He is kind and it pleased Him to do so. “He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will.” (Ephesians 1:5)
• God will never forget you. He has written you on the palms of His hands. “But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” (Isaiah 49:14-16)

Now all you have to do is believe it and follow God into your victory. This is where HOPE comes from.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my [sad] countenance and my God.

Psalm 43:5