Believe in the LORD, and you shall be established: Chronicles 20:20 Part (3)

King David also talked about being established in Psalm 40:2. And in the context of this morning’s verse and the wider context of Psalm 40 (i.e. Psalms 38, and 39), it is clear that being established has a lot to do with patient endurance, with waiting in hope, and in trusting the Lord in spite of all that is going on. In the Chronicles reference, Israel was facing an overwhelming force arrayed against it in battle. David describes his trial as being in a horrible, desolate pit (Psalm 40:2 again), a pit that is reminiscent of the pit into which Jeremiah was thrown. It was nothing but mud, and he sank in it up to his waist (Jeremiah 38:6).

What I’m seeing this morning, over and over again, is that the saints in Scripture were only established through the refining furnace of trials, temptations and difficulties. And although Paul could describe his furnace as “light momentary affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17), the trials that we are called to endure can seem anything but light, and can seem to last forever. Rest assured however, that there is an end to these things. In particular after we have suffered a little while, the Lord will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, establish and settle us (1 Peter 5:10 ESV).

These thoughts may not be too easy to receive this morning, especially if you are already discouraged. But what the Lord seems to be reminding of me this morning, is that the call to be a Christian, is a call to die. In one of the so-called hard sayings of Jesus, He tells us “Unless you take up your cross every day and follow Me, you cannot be my disciple” (Matthew 16:24). And we likely cannot do this, if we take our eyes off Jesus “who for the joy set before him endured the cross despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). Having said this, there is much help available. In particular the quotation in the title of this post continues “believe His prophets, and you shall prosper,” and I want to talk tomorrow, about the vital role the prophetic plays in all of this.

Father, Paul in reasoning for the resurrection of the dead, says that if there is no resurrection, his fight with beasts at Ephesus would have been in vain (1 Corinthians 15:32). Indeed if we have believed cunningly devised fables, our faith would also be in vain. But I choose to believe the witness of Peter and the other disciples, who experiences His Majesty (2 Peter 1:16), and that our faith is indeed not in vain. And I also choose to believe that these things are working a far more exceeding weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). And I know Lord, that when You have tried us we will come forth as gold (Job 23:10). We need your help, we need Your grace, we need Your mercy. Thank You that we are not alone, that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Give us overwhelming, joyful endurance this morning Lord, in Jesus Name Amen