How can we apply the principle of relying on God in battles today? Setting the Scene—Asa’s Example of Dependence 2 Chronicles 14 paints King Asa facing an Ethiopian force of a million men. Instead of trusting military strength, Asa “called to the LORD his God” (v. 11). God routed the enemy, and verse 14 records the aftermath: “Then they attacked all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the LORD had fallen upon them. They plundered all the cities because there was much plunder there.” The historical account is literal, and its principle is timeless: when people rely wholly on God, He supplies victory that human effort alone could never secure. Why Reliance Matters Today • Battles still come—spiritual temptation, cultural pressure, illness, financial strain, broken relationships. • Our natural reflex is self-reliance, yet Scripture repeatedly shows that human solutions collapse without divine help (Psalm 33:16-19). • God’s unchanging character guarantees that what He did for Asa, He stands ready to do for believers now (Hebrews 13:8). Recognizing the Battles You Face • Personal: recurring sin, anxiety, identity struggles. • Family: conflict, prodigal children, caregiving burdens. • Vocational: ethical compromises, unemployment, overwork. • Cultural: hostility toward biblical convictions, moral confusion. • Spiritual: unseen warfare against “principalities … in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Practical Ways to Rely on God 1. Pray First, Not Last – Begin every decision and conflict with honest, specific prayer, echoing Asa’s cry: “Help us, LORD, for we rely on You” (2 Chron 14:11). 2. Stand on Scripture – Memorize promises such as Exodus 14:14—“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Speak the Word aloud when fear rises (Matthew 4:4). 3. Worship Through the Battle – Praise shifts focus from enemy size to God’s greatness (2 Chron 20:21-22). 4. Obey Promptly – Victory is tied to obedience; known sin undercuts confidence (Joshua 7:10-13). 5. Engage Spiritual Armor – Daily “put on” truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, and the Word (Ephesians 6:13-18). 6. Seek Godly Counsel – Wise friends reinforce dependence on God, not on fleeting tactics (Proverbs 11:14). 7. Rest in Sovereign Timing – Trust that outcomes—and the pace of those outcomes—are in God’s hand (Psalm 37:5-7). Warnings from Asa’s Later Years • Years after his great victory, Asa hired Ben-hadad for protection instead of seeking God (2 Chron 16:1-3). • The prophet Hanani rebuked him: “For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is fully devoted to Him” (2 Chron 16:9). • Lesson: yesterday’s reliance does not exempt us from relying on God today. Promises That Anchor Our Confidence • Psalm 20:7—“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” • Isaiah 54:17—“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” • Romans 8:37—“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” • 2 Corinthians 10:4—“The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Living the Principle Remember: the same God who caused dread to fall on Gerar can still scatter forces arrayed against His people. Our part is to seek Him, trust His Word, obey His leading, and give Him glory when the victory comes. |
    |