Read today’s texts first: 2 Kings 6,7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3
We are never out-numbered when God is on our side.
Two of my favourite stories from the Old Testament are found in our readings today. At first I was torn as to which I would write about until I realized how the message from both is the same. The first involves four lepers going out for dinner, the second is a badly outnumbered army led by their worship team.
The Arameans were subjugated under Solomon, but when the kingdom split under his son Rehoboam, they pulled away and became a powerful enemy of Israel. Their language, Aramaic, would become the common language of northern Palestine and surrounding regions, and the language Jesus spoke.
Israel was starving to death because of their oppression, until Elijah asked God to intervene. The Arameans ran for the hills and abandoned their camps when they heard God’s special sound effects of a massive approaching army. Four desperate, almost suicidal lepers strolled into their empty camps and pigged out on Aramean delicacies. It’s a funny story of unlikely heroes who discovered first-hand how we are never out-numbered when God is on our side.
In the second story, Jehoshaphat was also out-numbered trying to protect Judah from a three nation alliance. Unlike most leaders, who abide by the “fake it until you make it” motto, Jehoshaphat was honest and transparent before His people and his God: For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. In response God spoke through Jahaziel: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (20:12,15). Same God, different miracle: musicians instead of lepers, and instead of sound effects, confused allies who killed each other.
“Lord, so often I think I have to fight my own battles, but You challenge me with impossible odds so I learn to rely on You. When I do that, my response will be like Jehoshaphat’s worship team: Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
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