Stand Strong in God

Photo by Katie Budris

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:10-12

He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain.  Now after him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines.  But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the Lord brought about a great victory.

Insights: Before I share my Thoughts by Scott with you this week I desire to give credit to C. Philip Green.  He is the pastor who preached the sermon and whose points I have used this week.  I concur with pastor Green regarding what is required for our nation to change.  The passage of Scripture we are investigating deals with king David’s mighty men and their exploits as the foundling nation of Israel was brought together under the divinely chosen monarch who would bring stability and balance to the people.  The first thing we learn from these men is that to change a nation we need people who will stand strong in the Lord.  Notice in verse ten and twelve that Samuel indicates the reason these men were successful was because the Lord brought about the victory.  In other words, these men were standing strong in the Lord and trusting Him to be their provision of strength and power.  The Lord God is the One who enables us to face major opposition and say, “I will walk with the Lord and no other.”  When we are strengthened to live life this way, we are better for our country.  When our strength and dependence is on the Lord, we have an opportunity to change the course of our nation.  My prayer is that men and women all across this nation that claim to live under the Lordship of Christ Jesus will find their strength in Him and stand for Him.

Questions:

1. Have you found the Lord to truly be a source of strength in your life?

2. Are you able to name and describe a time in which the Lord provided for you a supernatural strength to stand for Him?

Prayer: Father, I desire for the United States of America to change.  I desire for us to be a country in which You truly are our foundation.  As a result, please help me to have the strength I need to stand strong in You.  Amen.

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