SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Do you really think you can stand against the kingdom of the Lord that is led by the descendants of David? … So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the Lord, the God of their ancestors. [2 Chronicles 13:8,18]
I cannot confirm or deny the integrity or faithfulness of Abijah as king, but in his words, we discern a true message.
What he says is true – you cannot stand or survive against God and His kingdom.
The old testament kingdom of Israel (as established through Moses and David) was not perfect, nor was it God’s ultimate goal – it was a step on the way towards restoring the whole creation and all people as His kingdom.
But in its time, for it’s purpose, it was God’s chosen instrument for establishing His kingdom.
And to this extent, what Abijah says is true.
It was because of this right confession, this loyalty to God, that God gave Judah victory over Jereboam and his armies.

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. [Matthew 16:16-19]
Despite the fact that Peter does not understand what he is saying (in the next verses he tries to stop Jesus from dying on the cross), what he says is a true message, a right confession.
And Jesus confirms that this confession – that Jesus is God’s messiah, God’s appointed kingdom builder -as the solid rock upon which God will establish His kingdom, and no one (not even hell/Hades) can stand against it!

The value of this confession does not lie in the merit of the confessor.
Contrary to what the Roman Catholics teach, neither Peter nor Abijah are the rocks that God will build His kingdom on; both of them will fail, but the kingdom will remain forever.
God has determined to restore His creation and His children in His kingdom, one way or another, with or without us.
As we review the flow of history, we are not seeing the gradual, evolutionary improvement of humanity (actualy things are getting worse, not better) but the gradual unfolding of God’s kingdom.
It is not obvious because it grows in a way that is contrary to our nature: it comes through humility, meekness, integrity, grace, compassion, justice.
It follows the path of the cross, not the crown; it follows the path of self-denial, not self-assertion.
It appears that violence and defeat are overcoming the unfolding kingdom, but as with Jesus so with the kingdom, death is the path to victory.
Outnumbered, out-manoeuvred, we are like Abijah surrounded by the armies of Israel.
Outnumbered, out-manoevered, we are like the disciples, surrounded by the enemies of Jesus.

But not even death (Hades, the realm of the dead, translated ‘hell’ in Matthew 16:18) can stop it.
Both of these passages encourage me to stand firm, to trust God and His messiah Jesus, that He will establish His perfect world, restore His suffering family and remove all that refuse to accept His kingdom.
Do you really think you can stand against the kingdom of the Lord that is led by Jesus, the descendant of David?

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the reminder that it is not my strength or faithfulness that establishes Your kingdom, but Your promise, Your purpose, Your power! I am weak but You are strong!