CRYING OUT IN THE BATTLE

April 25, 2022

If you have read the first chapters of 1 Chronicles, you realize it is one long genealogical list. It seems like boring reading, but every little bit you come to something that, for some reason, God desires to highlight. One of these is a tribe of men who won great a great victory for God.

The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, consisting of valiant men, men who bore shield and sword and shot with bow and were skillful in battle, were 44,760, who went to war. They made war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. (1 Chronicles 5:18-20)

Notice what set these valiant men apart in human history. What made them valiant and victorious?

1. They trusted in God. Most men turn to the "arm of flesh" to save them. Not these warriors. They knew where their help came from and were unashamed to turn in dependency upon Him.
2. They were men of prayer. Right in the midst of the battle, they "cried out." This is a word of desperation and dependency. But they were wise enough to use the right means to bring God into the equation.
3. They were men whom God heard and answered. God delights in trusting, prayerful men who will look to Him for help. He loves to prove Himself strong on their behalf for such men are showing the world what a real man is designed to be.

We are all facing battles. You will have some today! Where will you turn? How will you respond? Will you rely on your mere human ability, or will you be a valiant warrior, who trusts in God and cries out to God in the battle? Such men will be highlighted in human history.

Father, thank You that You never planned for me to live on my own. You created me to live in dependency upon You. Give me the wisdom to pray without ceasing. To invite You into every moment of my day today—every decision, every conversation, every battle. Let me show the world that You are a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God!

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