SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 19
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.” [1 Chronicles 19:13]
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. [Luke 22:42-44]
May the Lord’s will be done… may Your will be done.
This kind of surrender is easy to speak of when things are going well, when we are in a good place in life.
Many Christians have use these words in prayer or worship, when reciting the Lord’s prayer, “Your will be done…”
But do we say this when we are facing great danger, when we are up against forces greater than we are that threaten to undo us?
Joab is facing two great armies, and he knows the odds are against him.
Yet in the face of this danger, he inspires his followers to be courageous, and to entrust themselves to the Lord’s will.
Jesus does this, He entrusts Himself into God’s will; He does ask that God’s will would protect Him from “this cup” (i.e. suffering), but in the end He is willing to accept whatever cup this Lord gives Him.
Why? Because He chooses to be confident in God’s goodness and God’s will.
He chooses to enter the battle bravely, in God’s strength.
In both stories, God’s will is done, and it works out in the end.
Joab and his armies are victorious – twice; Jesus appears to be defeated by the cross, but He too is victorious.
It was not without battle or scars – these were not easy victories – but they discovered God’s “strength for today” and “bright hope for tomorrow!”.
For this is where God’s will leads, no matter what valleys He may lead us through, no matter how things work out in the short term, His will is our ultimate victory and success.
He is preparing a table in the midst of our enemies; goodness and mercy do follow us all our lives; we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
And so, whatever your battle, “be courageous! Fight bravely for our God’s people and the kingdom of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.”
PRAYER:
Lord, there are a few “cups” I would rather not endure. Nevertheless, help me to trust You and to say, “May Your will be done!”
‘Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.’ This is what I was reminded of when I read this passage. This passage is found in Joshua 1. Doing the will of my Father as it states in the Lord’s prayer, ‘Your will be done.’
In my prayer life as with my daily living, when all goes well it is easy to do His will because we/I hardly give it a thought. Nowever, when troubles come, when difficulties arise because of health issues, trouble with friends, staff, environment, lifestyle, daily life upheaved because of the quake, living the life of Christ against the odds becomes a challenge. And yet we/I must since I am called to serve at all times. And when I walk in the Way He has promised to be my Guide as the Psalmist so clearly states in Psalm 23 the shadow of His presence is always there. That must be my confidence. And He has given me His Encourager to guide me along the Way. I am never alone. Never fear, God is here!
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey