THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERCESSION

"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." - Job 42:10

The book of Job reminds us that there is more to our suffering than meets the eye.  Like Job, we tend to have a superficial view of our struggles.  There is much more that is going on behind the scenes than we can perceive. 

Job was an outstanding man in his day.  God and men respected Job.  Even the devil took notice of Job.  Yet when the devil was permitted to afflict Job, no one, including his friends, supported Job.  His friends were "fair weather" friends.  Job's wife wasn't much help to him either.  Job suffered alone.  To make things worse, Job couldn't seem to reach God with his prayers. 

Despite the fact that Job couldn't seem to feel the presence of God, the Lord still was in control.  Often when we need God the most, we feel His presence the least.  Like Job, we often let our feelings overrun our faith.  Whether you feel God's presence or not, He is near.  Whether you understand His purpose or not, He is still Lord of all --- including your situation.

Job's friends continually badgered Job with accusations.  His friends are like many judgmental church members.  They are experts at others flaws but blind to their own.  Even worse, his friends accused him falsely.

When God made His presence known, Job's friends were put to shame.  They were told to bring offer sacrifices for their sin.  Furthermore, God instructed them to go to Job and have Job pray for them.

It is easy to allow selfishness to consume your prayer life.  It is not wrong to pray for yourself, but if you are a follower of Jesus, you also need to pray for others.  There are many who need your prayers.

Praying for friends shouldn't be difficult, but if your friends turned against you like Job's friends did, interceding for them would be tough.

Note two things about Job's intercession.

1.  THE LORD COMMANDED IT

First of all, God commanded Job to pray for his friends.  Despite their heartless treatment of Job, he was still expected to pray for them.

Jesus has instructed His followers to pray for their enemies.  As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to pray for those who treat us badly.  It isn't easy to obey that command.  In fact, it takes the indwelling Christ to accomplish this. 

Who needs our prayers more than those who mistreat us?  Those who deserve our prayers the least need them the most. 

2.  THE LORD REWARDED IT

Secondly, God rewarded Job for his obedience.  Notice two ways the Lord rewarded Job.  First, Job experienced a breakthrough:  "... the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends..."  Do you need a spiritual breakthrough?  Do you need God to turn around a situation?  Perhaps the answer is found in praying for others.  When you turn selflessly to intercede or assist someone else, God tends to do something in your own heart.

Also, God blessed Job.  "... also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."  God gave these things to Job --- not because of Job's worthiness --- but because of God's incredible love and grace.

When you intercede for others, it is wrong to assume that God will respond exactly as He did to Job.  For one thing, you've never gone through the trials that Job did.  Secondly, don't expect God to keep promises He didn't make.  He never promised Job that He'd turn his situation around, but God did so anyway.  Thankfully, there are times God breaks through a situation, even though a specific promise was not given for that situation.

Here's what we do know.  God does reward those who pray (see Matthew 6:6). How and when He rewards us is up to Him.  I believe that most of our rewards will be granted in heaven --- which will be far better, because those rewards are eternal. 

Job prayed specifically for those who mistreated him.  You and I should do the same.  

COURAGE TO FACE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

"... if I perish, I perish." - Esther 4:16

Faith is more than mere philosophical belief.  Biblical faith is taking God at His Word.  Biblical faith leads to obedience and faithfulness.  Such faith is the product of love for God, dependence on His Word and a willingness to follow Him.

There are times when a bold step of faith is required.  That was the case for Esther.  She and her family were doomed to destruction because of the racial hatred of one man, Haman.  Haman schemed to have the king sign a decree that would result in the extermination of the Jewish people.  Unknown to Haman, the queen, Esther, was a Jew. 

Humanly speaking, Esther was the only person on earth that could do anything to stop the human carnage that was planned.  As queen, she could speak to her husband and have the entire situation changed. 

However, there was a problem.  The king had not called for her.  A person could not just come unannounced to the king.  Even his wife was not permitted to come to him unless he asked for her.  Any person who came to the king without permission would be executed --- unless the king held out his golden scepter. 

Since her predecessor had angered the king and was removed from her position, Esther had reason to be concerned.  She needed to talk with the king, but if he didn't invite her to come, she risked her life to approach him.  When her uncle, Mordecai, pressed her to speak to her husband, Esther asked for the Jewish people to fast for three days and then she would go, uninvited, to the king.  Esther further said, "... if I perish, I perish." 

Esther had no guarantee that she would be spared.  Despite the fact that she was the queen, she could be executed for her uninvited visit to the king.  She came to the king and he held out his golden scepter.  Ultimately, she was the instrument God used in sparing the Jews from certain destruction.

There are some things worth risking your life for.  Esther had the courage to risk her reputation and life for her own people.  She had no guarantee that her life would be spared.  She faced an uncertain future with faith and courage.

Anything worthwhile in life begins with uncertainty.  As we seek to follow God and obey Him, we will face uncertainty.  That is why faith is required. 

It is better to die for something worthwhile than to live for things that don't matter.  It is better to risk your life for the Gospel's sake than to live a worldly, compromising life.  It is better to risk your reputation than to live silently while others perish. 

Living for God requires faith and courage.  Courage is the product of faith.  Biblical faith produces courage.  We need to understand that courage is not the absence of fear.  Courage leads us to do what is right in spite of fear. 

If you want your life to make an eternal difference, faith and courage will be required.  Your life will never be fulfilled while you remain in your comfort zone.  You will never enjoy God's richest blessings and ultimate rewards if you remain in safe seclusion. 

God used Esther to spare an entire race of people.  God tends to use certain people to accomplish unusual things.  These individuals are usually ordinary people who trust God and have the courage to do what is right in spite of the consequences.  They, like Esther, face uncertainty and say, "... if I perish, I perish."

Everyone is going to die someday anyhow.  It is better to die for the cause of Christ and the sake of the Gospel than to live to an old age but waste every day.

Some things are worth risking your life for.  Jesus risked His life for us.  In fact, He died for us.  He gave His life on the cross for us.  He paid our debt of sin in full with His precious blood.  Because of His sacrifice, sinners like us can come to the great King of the universe.  Because of Jesus, the golden scepter was held out for us.  When we come to God in repentance and faith, we are saved and made children of the King.  God's golden scepter was not held out because of our worthiness, but because of His grace.

Now as recipients of God's grace, we are motivated with gratitude to love, follow and obey Jesus.  Following Christ is not always easy.  Sometimes the path is uncertain.  Danger may lie ahead.  For some, martyrdom will come.  Jesus is worth dying for because He died for us.

The future is uncertain for all of us.  Faith and courage is needed.  If our faith is anchored in Jesus, we can proceed with confidence.  If we must die for our faith, like Paul, we can honestly say, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 

If I perish, I perish.

DOING A GREAT WORK

"I am doing a great work" - Nehemiah 6:3

In America today, mega-church pastors are celebrated for their numerical success.  This often results in best-selling books about their church's story of phenomenal growth.  While I believe that there are many great mega-church churches & pastors, there are a few mega-church pastors who seem to show a level of disrespect for those who lead small churches or ministries. 

These days, American Christians honor those who lead large churches and Christian organizations.  We must be careful, however, to recognize that success in ministry is not fully gauged by visible results. 

Faithfulness to God and numerical growth are not necessarily synonymous.  Cults can experience numerical growth, but their statistics do not compensate for their doctrinal error.  If you think that large numbers indicate spiritual success, go to a professional football game.  You'll see large numbers of people there without any spiritual activity going on. 

I do agree that numbers matter in ministry.  Each person has an eternal soul and is vitally important.  I heard one mega-church pastor say that churches should celebrate their large numerical success because, "God believes in numbers so much that He wrote a book called Numbers."  His cliché sounds factual, but needs to be clarified.  This pastor needs to be reminded that David sinned greatly against God when he numbered the people.  In the book of Numbers, God commissioned the numbering of the people.  In David's day, his numbering of the people was based upon pride ... not a calling of God.  Could it be that "numbers" have become an idol in American Christianity? 

When Nehemiah was leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, his critics called for him to come to a meeting so they could discuss their differences with him.  Nehemiah knew that their real plan was to pull him away from the work God gave him to do & ultimately stop the work of God.  He responded to their request by saying, "I cannot come, for I am doing a great work."   

We need to understand what constitutes "a great work."  What I'm about to share is not typically stated on Christian talk shows or church-growth seminars, but I firmly believe it is true.  When you are doing God's work, according to God's plan, for God's glory, you are doing a great work.

If numerical growth constitutes a great work, then Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekial were huge failures in ministry.  In fact, John the Baptist saw his numbers decline as his ministry continued.  Yet they all did a great work.  Why was their work great?  Their work was great because they did God's work, according to God's plan, for God's glory.

  

At one point in Jesus' teaching, the crowds left him.  When He went to the cross, Jesus died alone.  Obviously, Jesus did a great work.  Why was His work great?  Jesus' work was great because He did the Father's work, according to the Father's plan, for the Father's glory. 

Let me encourage many today.  If you teach a small Sunday School class, keep teaching for God's glory.  You are doing a great work.  If you are the pastor of a tiny church, keep leading that church for the glory of God.  You are doing a great work.  If you are a little-known evangelist, keep preaching the Gospel for Jesus' sake.  You are doing a great work.  If you are a Gospel singer, keep singing for the Lord --- even if your music never reaches Christian radio.  You are doing a great work.  If you are a street preacher, keep spreading the Gospel for the glory of God.  You are doing a great work.  If you are a prayer warrior, stay in the prayer closet & continue standing in the gap for others.  You are doing a great work.

Your faithfulness and motive will always be the key to your success in ministry.  Whether you see phenomenal numerical growth or not, your work is a great work if you are doing God's work. 

I believe that there are many mega-church pastors who are doing a great work.  I also believe that there are many, many pastors who lead small congregations who are are doing a great work, too. 

Don't look down on those who lead ministries smaller than yours.  Don't envy those who lead ministries larger than yours.  Don't judge those who lead ministries that are different from yours.  Keep your motives pure and stay faithful to the Lord. 

You are doing a great work.

A MAN OF GOD'S WORD

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." - Ezra 7:10

The spiritual intimacy of a person is often gauged by the time he or she spends in God's Word.  Certainly there is more to Christian living than reading the Bible, but it is difficult to image a person reaching any level of spiritual maturity without regular time spent in the pages of God's Word.

Ezra was a man of God's Word.  Our text teaches us about the spiritual depth of this Old Testament scribe.  He was more than just a dry, lifeless historical figure.  Instead, he was a man who sought the ways of God when it was unpopular to do so. 

Note three things about Ezra's approach to the Word of God.

1.  PREPARTION

First of all, the Bible states that Ezra, "... prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD."   It is good to prepare your mind, but it is better to prepare your heart.  The devil would like to convince ministers that preparing a good sermon is enough.  It isn't enough.  You must prepare your heart to bring the message.  The same is true for the Sunday School teacher, Bible school instructor, seminary professor or small group leader. 

Notice that Ezra sought the law of the LORD.  He didn't have 66 books of the Bible available like we do.  In spite of this, he used his time to diligently read and study the Scripture that was available to him. 

More than likely you have at least one Bible in your home.  Do you read it?  Whether you are in ministry or not, the best way to prepare for each day is to begin every day with time in God's Word.

2.  APPLICATION

Our text further teaches that Ezra sought the law of God, "... to do it."  Ezra studied God's Word so that he might practice what he read.

There are many people who have a textbook knowledge of the Bible but rarely, if ever, obey what it teaches.  Before you can lead others to obey the Scriptures, you need to be actively obeying the Bible yourself. 

Ezra obeyed the Word of God.  Do you?

3.  EDUCATION

Finally, we learn that Ezra obeyed the Word so that he would, "teach in Israel statutes and judgment."  Ezra shared what he learned with the people.  He didn't selfishly keep information to himself.  He taught others what he found in the law of God. 

Ezra was used of God, along with Nehemiah, to bring about spiritual revival and community revitalization in Jerusalem.  His influence was greatly due to his intimate knowledge of God's Word.

Ezra was a man of God's Word.  We need more men like Ezra today.  We need men to step up and be men of God's Word.  We need more women to rise up as women of the Word. 

Although most people will never occupy the pulpit on Sunday morning or teach a Bible study class, every Christian should be reading the Bible daily.  Read the Bible every day without fail. 

Be a man or woman of God's Word.

HEAL OUR LAND

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

When Solomon dedicated the house of the Lord, God made His presence known.  That night, the Lord spoke to Solomon and gave him spiritual insight concerning Israel's spiritual future. 

The Lord knew that there would be times when Israel would turn from Him.  God knew that His people would forsake Him and reap the consequences of sin.  The Lord told Solomon that Israel would face consequences for their sin:  "If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people."  Notice three specific catastrophes that Israel would face because of their sin:  drought, destruction and disease.  Thankfully, the Lord offered Israel hope for such occasions.  He gave them directions on how to return to fellowship with Him.  He promised that if they obeyed His instructions, He would, "... heal their land."

Let me be very candid with you.  We, in America, need God to heal our land.  We are in desperate need for the Lord to intervene in our nation and bring us healing.  Here are some reasons our land needs healing:

• Racial unrest.  Our nation has deep, widening racial issues that are destroying our nation.
• Social strife.  The hostile demonstrations we are seeing on the news give us an indication of how close we are to lawlessness in our streets.
• Increased violence.  It is a common thing to hear about mass shootings.  The massacre of our citizens has become regular headlines in our news.
• Terrorism.  Much of the violence mentioned above is inspired by terrorism.  Our country is vulnerable to terrorism.
• Lack of respect for authority.  Our law enforcement officers are under attack in our nation.  They are being targeted for murder. 
• Political corruption.  Let's be honest.  There is wide scale political corruption in America.  This deepens the hostility that exists among our residents.
• Economic woes.  Our nation is deeply in debt.  It is unthinkable that our nation can ever repay the debt we owe ... and yet we continue to add to this debt.  This could easily lead to the economic downfall of America.
• Spiritual apathy.  Most church members in America do not see the spiritual disaster that we are facing.  Instead of being salt & light, most church members blend in with the sinful society they live in. 

I could easily go on, but I think these issues underscore the need we have for a spiritual awakening in America. 

When God revealed the consequences that Israel would face when they forsake Him, He also gave them this promise:  "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  This verse was given for the nation, Israel, but I believe there are some spiritual principles found in the verse that give us our only hope for America.  You see, spiritual revival is America's only real hope.  From this verse, let's look at how revival can turn a nation around.

1.   THE PEOPLE OF REVIVAL

First of all, we see the people of revival.  God said, "If my people, which are called by my name..."  Revival can only come as God's people return to Him.  The word, "revival," means to "live again."  An unbeliever cannot "live again," because he has never lived to begin with.  He is still spiritually dead and far from God.  Revival is all about God's people getting right with Him. 

Furthermore, God says that His people, "... are called by my name."  Many religious activities have little or nothing to do with God. 

God is calling His people to experience revival.  The key to America's future is not found in the White House but in God's House.  The future of America does not hinge on what happens in a voting booth but in the prayer closet. 

2.  THE PATH TO REVIVAL

Secondly, we learn about the path to revival.  Revival is not about having extra services at church or having an evangelist come to town with a Gospel tent.  Although there is nothing wrong with extra services or an anointed evangelist, neither of these modern ideas are specifically mentioned in God's plan.  Look at the four things God identifies:

First of all, God calls His people to humility.  "If my people ... shall humble themselves."  Far too many Christians expect sinners to kneel and pray when they won't do so themselves.  Many believers expect unbelievers to publicly repent when they themselves refuse to repent.  It is time for God's people to quit being so pushy, arrogant and proud.  It is time we get off our high horse and humbly turn to the Lord.  The Bible states that God resists the proud.  I believe that God has turned His back on many believers and churches because of their pride.  The Bible says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up."  Humility is the undeniable first step of revival.

Secondly, the Lord challenges His people to pray.  The Lord said, "If my people ... pray..."  When we humble ourselves, we find that we are totally dependent upon God.  Unless God turns things around, we have no hope in our homes, our churches, our businesses or our nation.  Desperation should drive us to our knees in humble prayer.

Third, the Lord invites us to seek His face.  God said, "If my people ... seek my face..."  Instead of looking to politicians, the Supreme Court or Wall Street for help, we need to look to the Lord.  Our faith and hope should be in God, not the government.  When God becomes our only love, His desire becomes our passion and His Word becomes our marching plans, then we can begin to see changes take place. 

Finally, we are instructed to repent.  The Lord said, "If my people ... turn from their wicked ways."  We can't do things in the future like we've done them in the past.  I believe that America is in the mess she is in due, in great part, to the spiritual failure of the American church.  It is time we quit playing church and start being the church.  The American church does not even resemble the early church found in the Scriptures. 

Let me be honest with you.  I can't count the times when I've gotten on the wrong road when I was driving.  It is embarrassing to admit that I've taken a wrong road.  Yet if I intend to arrive at the right destination, I must turn around and get on the right road.  Turning around is the key to reaching the right destination.  In life, turning around is known as repentance.  The American church --- and those of us in it --- needs to turn around.  We must repent.

3.  THE PRODUCT OF REVIVAL

Finally, we learn about the results of revival.  There are three things that God promises:

First, the Lord promises that He will hear the prayer of His people.  The Lord said, "...then will I hear from heaven."  I think it would be shocking to know how many church members pray daily, but rarely get answers to prayer.  When revival comes, God's people get back into fellowship with Him and experience the joy of having answered prayers.

Secondly, God promises to forgive the sins of His people.  In our text, God promises forgiveness to His people.  The Lord's people will regain the joy they once had.  Believers will once again have a song within and won't be able to keep silent.

Finally, the Master declares that He will heal the land.  The Bible says, "... then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Believers often think that revival comes when unbelievers repent.  Actually, the salvation of souls is often a product of revival and not revival itself.  When God's people return to their first love, evangelism becomes fruitful.  Lives are changed.  Families are reunited.  Relationships are mended.  God is glorified.

Occasionally, we hear of an outbreak of revival here or there, such as the revival that has taken place recently in Burlington, NC.  What we desperately need is a massive revival that sweeps across this land.  God is able to do it.  Are we willing to surrender our pride, desperately pray to the Lord, quit playing church and seek Him completely?

We don't have time to waste.  I challenge every reader to make this the day you humble yourself, pray, seek the Lord and repent.  Today may be the beginning of a great revival that turns our nation around!

THE TASK OF A LIFETIME

"And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD." - 1 Chronicles 28:20

Do you want to accomplish something grand in your lifetime?  Perhaps you are working hard to achieve goals and specific dreams, yet there are times when God says "no" to our dreams.  He may keep us from reaching certain goals that we set, including goals that seem worthwhile.

That was the case for King David.  David had a great ambition.  He wanted to build a great house for God.  You would think that God would certainly allow David to accomplish this mission, but instead, God told David that the house would not be built by him, but by his son.

As David neared death, he challenged his son to build a house for God.  1 Chronicles 28:20 is part of David's charge to Solomon:  "And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."  King David was very vocal and intentional in his desire to have this project completed by his son.  Consider a few things about this amazing project.

1.  THE PLAN

First of all, there was the plan.  Even though David would not get to build the house of God, he made specific plans for the house.  He worked on design and materials for the project.  He made sure that his son would have everything he needed to accomplish the job.

2.  THE PERSUASION

Secondly, there was David's persuasion.  David had a grand vision, but he had to pass this vision on to his son.  Vision is not transferred automatically.  Vision is not transferred by genetics. 

Notice the words that David used to motivate his son:  "Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed."  You might say that David gave his son a pep talk in this verse.  Notice the encouragement David gave to Solomon:

• "Be strong."  David did not want his son to be a weak leader.  Strong leadership would be required to accomplish the task at hand.
• "Be ... of good courage."  David didn't want Solomon to be an insecure leader either.  Doubts and insecurities have destroyed many leaders.
• "... do it."  King David intended for his son to be a man of action and accomplishment.  It is one thing to plan a job.  It is another thing to actually accomplish the job. 
• "... fear not, nor be dismayed."  It is easy to get overwhelmed when you face a huge task.  David knew that Solomon would be tempted to give up and quit.  At the time of David's speech, Solomon was a young man.  When a young man faces a huge project, he often begins with great confidence, but soon the magnitude of the job weighs him down and gets him discouraged. 

David knew how to persuade his son.  David was entrusting his dream to his young son, Solomon. 

3.  THE PROMISE

Finally, there's the promise.  David promised Solomon:  "... he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."  Solomon was promised that God would not let him down during this project.  God would be there for him.  Notice the extent of the promise, "... until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD." What a promise! 

Many people plan to accomplish something great in their lives.  A few actually begin accomplishing dreams, just to get distracted or discouraged and then quit. Very few actually finish the great project or lifelong dream.  Solomon would not only begin the task, he would finish it.

After David's death, Solomon built the great temple of God.  It was an amazing building.  It was his father's dream, but it became Solomon's dream, too.  It was the task of a lifetime and Solomon was blessed to complete the project.  The temple would later be referred to as, "Solomon's temple," but it was really the house of God.

Has God put a dream on your heart?  Are you doing anything about it?  The first step in finishing a project is to simply begin.  Today would be a great day to start.

THE INVISIBLE MAJORITY

"Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."

- 2 Kings 6:16

Six books of the Bible give us a detailed history of the kings of Israel and Judah.  Of these six books, 2 Kings remains my favorite.  The book of 2 Kings opens with the final years of Elijah's ministry and quickly moves to the dynamic ministry of Elisha.  The book concludes with a historical record of several kings and the nature of their reign.

The ministry of Elisha is my favorite part of 2 Kings.  Elisha was a mighty man of God.  The Lord used him during a time of great apostasy and sin.  Kings feared and hated him because he would boldly pronounce God's judgment on their sin. 

The King of Syria became upset when he learned that Elisha was receiving inside information from God.  God would reveal to Elisha details about the Syrian military strategy.  Elisha would then tell the king of Israel who used the information to bring disaster on the Syrian army. 

When the king of Syria learned this, he sent his army to stop Elisha.  As the Syrian army surrounded Elisha, his servant got anxious and said, "Alas, my master!  how shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15).

I must confess that often I have been like Elisha's servant.  There have been times that I've only looked at situations from a worldly viewpoint.  How easy it is to look at the visible and forget the things that are invisible.  It is simple to concentrate on the temporal and overlook the eternal.  It is easy to focus on the problems of man rather than the promises of God.

Elisha responded to his servant by saying, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."  Furthermore, Elisha prayed that the eyes of his servant would be opened to see the invisible army that was available to help them.  When the servant's eyes were opened, he saw that the mountain was covered with a mighty army sent to assist Elisha.

                       

Elisha saw things by faith.  His servant only saw things by sight.  These days it is easy to be consumed and overwhelmed by the evil of our land.  Things seem hopeless to us.  We scramble to find human solutions for the problems of this world.  However, human solutions will never resolve the deep, complex issue of sin.  Only God can do this.

Lest we be overcome with fear and doubt, I think we should learn some things from Elisha's observation.

1.  LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY FEAR

First of all, Elisha said, "Fear not..."  Believers should not be living in fear.  We are called to live by faith.  The focus of our faith needs to be on God.  We should have no confidence in politics, promises and programs.  Our hope is in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Our confidence and trust is in Him alone.

2.  LIVE ON PROMISES, NOT IN PANIC

We have the promise that God is with us all the time (see Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5).  Christians should live on the promises of God. 

I believe that Elisha's servant was in panic mode, don't you?  Yet Elisha was calm in spite of overwhelming bad news.  Elisha knew that God would fight for him.  Do you have such confidence?

3.  LIVE WITH ASSURANCE, NOT WITH ANXIETY

Elisha said, "... they that be with us are more than they that be with them."  Elisha had assurance that the host of the Lord was far greater in number and power than the Syrian army.

Back in 1980, Jerry Falwell began a conservative movement called, "The Moral Majority."  Today, the forces of evil seem to have overrun our country.  The majority seems to be immoral, ungodly and aggressive.  Christian persecution is beginning in our country, often with the approval of our courts.  To the ungodly host, it seems as though they are in the majority.  The reality is that the host of the Lord vastly outnumbers the forces of evil.  A third of the angels may have fallen along with Lucifier, but that leaves God with two angels for every demon the devil has.  Furthermore, God alone stands with greater power than all other beings combined. 

Think for just a moment.  If you are a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells within you, the Son of God is praying for you, and the Father is watching over you.  The angel of the Lord encamps around you.  You are not alone in the fight.  For just a short period of time, the devil and his followers have limited power.  God has the ultimate power and will have the final say-so. 

We don't have to live in fear.  We don't have to stay in panic mode.  Anxiety doesn't have to rule our lives.  God is in control.  Because He is in control, we can comfort other believers with Elisha's words, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."