June 27, 2015: SOAP #2031: 2Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 25; 2Timothy 3

Victory or Defeat

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 25:7 But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the people of Ephraim. 8 Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”

Observation: Judah was preparing for war with Seir. They had hired one hundred thousand troops from Israel to bolster their army of three hundred thousand. The man of God confronted the King and the troops were sent home. Judah went on to victory.

One does not have to read much in the Bible to realize the truth of the words: “…for God has the power to help or to overthrow.” This truth can be easily seen in the rest of this chapter.

Authors Peter Marshall and David Manual wrote two books, “The Light and the Glory” and “From Sea to Shining Sea.” In them they show God’s blessing as the USA fulfilled God’s purpose for our nation and God’s judgment as we ignored Him. (What a terrible price our nation paid for slavery!)

Application: What was true for Israel in the Old Testament is true for the USA today. What is true for nations is also true for individuals—it is true for me. The Sovereign God, with His favor or displeasure, has the power to bring me victory or defeat, success or failure.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the Sovereign God of the Universe. Continually remind me that what I do affects you and what you do affects me. Amen