They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. I Chronicles 5:20 NIV
This is the last day of 2019 Bible Reading Marathon in Tuscaloosa. I had the privilege of reading in the middle of the night hours during our 80 hours of reading. During a daytime reading, I was present when a teenager was reading and started I Chronicles. I read the headings of the first 9 chapters of names and had her start again at Chapter 10.
Tonight, I went back and read those 9 chapters listing the names of the genealogical records of Israel before continuing in Matthew. I chuckled as I thought about the men in heaven listening to me recite their names. One poked the other in the rib….”he got my name right! The other replied, “we both made it on the list, so, there!”
Nuggets are found all through the scriptures. Notice the phrase, “they (the tribes of Reuben, Gad and ½ of Manasseh) cried out to him (God) during the battle. He answered their prayers”. I thought of the many times that I pray before an event and how we trust God to help us. Thank the Lord for his provision and encouragement to go before us.
This is a prayer during the battle. It is NEVER too late to cry out to God in prayer. Even if it appears that you are losing the battle, it is not too late. Victory is one moment away on the pathway of endurance. Don’t be tempted to follow the broad path of discouragement and despair leading to compromise that stops short of your peace. Even the weakest step in the right direction, keeps you in the path of His favor.
The middle of the battle is never the time to give up and quit. Neither is it the time to rely on your own strength. It is time to humble yourself, call out to the Lord, and listen and look for His way forward.
Be strengthened in your resolve today to follow the Lord’s path. Draw encouragement that we have a High Priest, Jesus, who is interceding right now for you. He is praying for your strength to stay on the path of righteousness. There is a great cloud of witnesses cheering for you to stay in the race.
God answered their prayers, and He will answer yours, too.
Blessings Love y’all