(2 Chronicles 13)
Two kingdoms stand lined up and prepared for battle. Not long before, these two kingdoms had been one, united under one king and the worship of the one true God. But now, because of idolatry and unfaithfulness, self-seeking decisions and a lust for power, the kingdom had been torn apart. Ten tribes followed King Jeroboam and worshiped the golden calves he set up for them, becoming the northern kingdom of Israel. The two tribes that remained faithful to the God of their ancestors, and to the family line of King David became the southern kingdom of Judah, now under the rule of David’s great grandson Abijah.
King Abijah and his army of 400 thousand men are bravely prepared to face King Jeroboam and his army of 800 thousand men. Facing an army twice the size of his own, we might expect that King Abijah would feel a bit intimidated. But Abijah shows no signs of fear. Instead, he boldly confronts the northern nation’s rebellion both against God’s chosen people, and against Yahweh himself:
“Don’t you realize that God has made a lasting covenant with the line of David?!” he challenges them. “And now you think you can come up against the kingdom of the LORD! You might have a great big army, and you have your golden calf gods that Jeroboam made for you, and the priests whom you set up to serve what aren’t even real gods! WE serve Yahweh. He is our God, and the Levites are His priests and they follow all the requirements God gave to us through the law of Moses. But you have forsaken Him” (2 Chronicles 13: 5-11, paraphrase mine).
Then Abijah gives the Israelite army a warning and ultimatum, reminding them of the danger in trying to fight against the one true God:
“God is with us; He is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. People of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed” (2 Chronicles 13:12).
But king Jeroboam and the army of Israel with them couldn't have cared less about what Abijah had to say. And so, the battle began. Jeroboam had sent troops around to the rear side of the army of Judah, so that they were surrounded on both sides by an army twice their size.
When the men of Judah realized that they were being attacked from all sides, they cried out to the LORD for help. The priests blew their trumpets and the entire army of Judah raised a loud battle cry! And God heard their cry and came to their aid. He turned back the army of the Israelites and they fled. Judah pursued them and ended up with the majority of the numbers, killing 500 thousand Israelite soldiers. And we're told that, “The people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the LORD, the God of their ancestors” (2 Chronicles 13:18, emphasis mine).
Humanly speaking, Abijah didn’t seem to have what it took to win the battle. He didn’t have the biggest army or the most strategic battle plan. If he had been focused on his own strength or ability, he could’ve easily been overcome by fear. The circumstances were not in his favor. But instead, Abijah chose to look to the God whose love and power were bigger than his circumstances. Before the battle even began, he had the confidence to tell the enemy that they would not succeed, because he knew God was with him. He relied on the LORD to give him success. And he received the victory, not because of his own merit but as a gift from God who alone was able to overcome.
This story is a good reminder that it isn’t about how big or strong, or talented, or skilled, or gifted, or strong, or capable we are. It’s about the God we serve, His awesome power, and the gracious and glorious deliverance that He gives to His beloved children. We don’t have the power to find victory in our own strength. But because our God is so great and good, there is absolutely no fear, no obstacle, no lie of the enemy, and no weapon formed against us that can prosper. We can have the courage to face problems twice our size, face overwhelming circumstances, and stand up to the most impossible of situations when He is with us.
We all like a good victory story, and we all want to experience victory in our lives. And yet sadly, so many of us walk around feeling discouraged and defeated, rather than living an abundant life as confident victors in Christ. Why is it so hard for so many Christians to break free from patterns of sin, shame, fear, discouragement, doubt, insecurity, grief, depression and hopelessness? I think it’s probably because we think victory is something we have to work for and achieve for ourselves. We forget that it’s all a gift of grace. We strive and strive to be enough and do enough to be worthy followers of Jesus. But this story serves as a good reminder that victory is not something we secure for ourselves. It’s something we receive as a gift from the hand of a powerful and gracious God when the odds are stacked against us a million to one. He provides the victory; all we have to do is choose to receive it and walk in it.
We have a God who is able, who is powerful, who is a conqueror, and who is the victor. And He wants to give you victory in your daily life over your personal struggles. He wants to give you grace for the battles that are too hard for you to handle on your own. He wants to empower you to be more than an overcomer in Christ. He wants to rescue you when you feel attacked from every side. He wants to drive away the enemies of sin, Satan and the world which taunt and torment you. He wants to give you an abundant life, full of joy and purpose and peace that passes understanding. He wants you to enjoy wonderful, personal, sweet, intimate fellowship with Him.
But the question is, will you choose to simply receive it? Will you choose to walk in the victory you’ve already been given? Will you choose to rely on the LORD to be everything you need? Will you choose to trust God’s strength to be enough when your own doesn’t measure up? Will you choose to focus on His ability rather than on your inabilities? Will you choose to trust Him to help you overcome when the circumstances feel impossible? Will you choose to live confidently in the gracious the gift of victory that Jesus died and rose again to give you?