“There is a greater power with us than with him.” 2 Chronicles 32:7 NIV
“A sure strategy for spiritual failure is to isolate yourself from God and others’ company.”
My thoughts and comments today ask “who’s on whose side?”
Life has times when it is important to know whose side you are on, and also times when it is critical to know who is on your side. Knowing whose side you are on provides clarity and strengthens loyalty. Knowing who is on your side empowers courage and confidence. When adversity touches your life – when fears scramble your thoughts – when confusion clouds your judgment – when shame pushes you to withdraw – or when you need someone to care for you – open your heart to people who have a history of caring about you.
There may be times when people can’t be there for you, but God always will be. When the Assyrian King threatened Judah, King Hezekiah assured the people, “’Be strong and courageous . . for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people gained confidence.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 NIV. You too can have that confidence today. Read 2 Kings 6:14-17 NLT.
As Joshua faced the intimidating, fortified city of Jericho, he found himself confronted by an armed visitor and asked, “’Are you for us or for our enemies?’ So He answered, ‘Neither, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’” Read Joshua 5:13-15 NIV. “Whose side are You on?” would be a normal question for anyone in such a situation. That’s good information to have but the real issue was, “Joshua, whose side are you on? Yours or the Lord’s?” It’s always best to be on the Lord’s side; then you’ll know for sure He is on yours. “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side let the [people of God] say . . [they] would have overwhelmed us.” Psalm 124:1-5 NKJV. Many times that would have been true for me were God not on my side. Be assured, “The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV.
Sometimes God is there for you in the person of a friend. Some years ago, my friend, Rick, asked a thought provoking question at a pastors gathering, “If you were to fail and fall, who have you allowed to know you well enough – to know your history and struggles – to know where to look for you?” To our own harm, many of us are too private, allowing few if any others into our confidence. Solomon reasoned, “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one . . people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble . . two can stand back to back and conquer.” Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT. Who has your back?
No one does as well when facing challenges and adversity alone. Across the years of pastoring, I have observed that a sure strategy for spiritual failure is to isolate yourself from God and others’ company. See Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV. You need the strength of others as they need yours. I have watched people in difficult situations, when needing the reassurance and resource of others, illogically withdraw from those most likely to help. Is it pride? Is it embarrassment? People often become scarce when they need fellowship most. When you feel alone and don’t want to be, open your heart to allow others into your life. But when you feel like just losing yourself in a crowd, get alone with God instead; there you’ll find the help you need. See Hebrews 13:6 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is that you stay close to God and be real with others.