Overcoming insurmountable odds!

All of us, at one time or another, have had the feeling of too much coming at us at one time. Perhaps you have felt overwhelmed by some sickness, trials you are facing, a bad relationship, or simply attacks from people or the enemy.

Bear with me for a moment while I take you to one such battle in the scripture.

2 Chronicles 14:9-15

Now Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and he came to Mareshah. 10So Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up in battle formation in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” 12So the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 13Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the LORD and before His army. And they carried away very much plunder. 14They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the LORD had fallen on them; and they despoiled all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. 15They also struck down those who owned livestock, and they carried away large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

The nation of Judah was out numbered 2 to 1. The Ethiopian army was not only greater in number but stronger in weaponry as well. Notice how King Asa prayed.

1) He placed his life in the hands of the Lord – “there is no one besides you”, we are nothing and you are everything.
2) He reminded the Lord of his trust in Him – “we trust in you”, we are facing this battle to glorify you
3) They let God be God – “let no man prevail against you”, we don’t want our way you have your way in this situation.

What happened? God defeated their enemies before them and not only that, but the name of the Lord was lifted up across the region. They gained more spoils than they could have imagined.

So what does this mean to your life?

1) You will face insurmountable odds sooner or later but if you place your trust in the Lord, He will overcome those odds easily every time. The Lord alone is a majority every time.

2) You battles are never just about you. Others will always be impacted by the outcome. In this case, the entire region had the fear of the Lord come on them. Untold numbers were reminded of whom God is and that the God of Israel is the true God. It is a very dangerous thing for the enemy to come up against God’s people and you are one of God’s people.

3) Matthew 6:33 tells us that if we seek God first he will take care of all of our needs. If you put God first in your battle you will win far more than what you were expecting. Perhaps it will be the salvation of many, open heavens, or more miracles than you could ever imagine. When we allow the Lord to be in control amazing things happen.

Paul wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us”. We will face battles, most will be small but we do face big ones. When we do, remember allowing the Lord to be in charge and trusting Him for the correct outcome, causes us to win and win big every time. Whatever you are facing, place the battle in His hands and see what He will do!