2 Chronicles 13:18, "...the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers."

Abijah, king of Judah, had a conflict with Jeroboam, king of Israel. Israel (the 10 northern tribes) was an illegitimate kingdom, because it was not ruled by a successor of King David. Abijah's army numbered 400,000 men, while Jeroboam's army numbered 800,000 men. As you can see Jeroboam's army was twice the size of Abijah's army, but Abijah's army prevailed. Why? because they (Abijah and his men) relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. God blessed their reliance upon Him.

Asa, the son Abijah, began to rule after the death of his father. His army grew to 580,000 men (2 Chronicles 14:8) and the army came up against Zerah the Ethiopian who had an army of 1,000,000 (one million) (2 Chronicles 14:9). Again, Asa's army is almost half the size of Zerah's yet Asa prevails. Why? "Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." (2 Chronicles 14:11) "So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled." (2 Chronicles 14:12)

It is obvious that human reason would have dictated to us that it was impossible for either Abijah or Asa to prevail in their individual circumstances. Yet they possessed faith in the LORD. They relied upon God to make a difference in their circumstance. Do you live by sight or by faith? Do you rely upon your own power or do you rely upon the LORD? Proverbs 3:5-6 should direct the way we live, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

May we learn to rely upon the LORD to make an extraordinary difference in our lives. For the just shall live by faith, in the LORD!

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How does your life reflect the manner by which you live? By faith or by sight?

2. Have you chosen to live in the power of your own strength? Why or why not?

3. Why did Abijah and Asa prevail even though the circumstances were against them?