Sound the Alarm

9 “When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. Numbers 10:9 NKJV

Is there anybody like me, who feels oppression from an enemy? Does life send obstacles along your pathway, shoving and pushing you to thwart your progress? How do you handle the bumps, curves or dead ends?

Some struggles are of our own making. No need for trumpet blasts at that moment. In those times, we humble ourselves before God and repent. We ask for mercy recognizing our willful disobedience to follow our own path instead of following the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

Some of these events could be gossiping about our boss which is causing friction in the workplace. Perhaps you took out a loan and now you don’t have the resources to pay it back. Addictions can lead to abuses of things, relationships, isolation and even trouble with the law. Humility and repentance are the appropriate responses before the Lord.

BUT sometimes the enemy comes on our turf and oppresses us. Somebody crashes into your car, your home air conditioner goes out, a tree falls on your house, a close relative dies, taxes pile up, sickness enters your body or a family member, a child goes astray, or a spouse is unfaithful. Oppression feels like a heavy weight is laid on your chest with no way to remove it or get out from under it. The thoughts of anxiousness plaster themselves against every wall in your mind reminding you there is nowhere to turn away from your problem. This is oppression from the enemy on your own turf.

God anticipated times like these. So what do we do? Is there a pattern to follow that might help us today? Do I need to buy a trumpet and start blowing away? That is a thought.

Two things, sound an alarm and be remembered by the Lord.

Sounding the alarm is crying out to the Lord. Seek Him with all of your heart, Pray in the morning and in the nights. Alter your schedule to fast and pray in a manner that includes sacrifice. Worship and sing unto the Lord by yourself and with others.  Read aloud the Psalms with passion that resonate with your predicament. All of these are examples of blowing the trumpet to let God know that you are in need of help from the oppression of an enemy.

Being remembered by the Lord is a response of faith. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Oppression squelches God’s peace and joy. Being remembered is a faith acknowledgement of God’s joy and peace in our lives. The circumstances causing the oppression may not change immediately, but God’s presence creates strength. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…BECAUSE You are with me.

When oppression comes, don’t cower, don’t retreat, don’t be intimidated. Take every thought captive and declare God’s promises over your life. Sound the alarm with your own voice. Don’t let the enemy be the loudest voice that you are listening to. Sound the alarm and declare God’s love over you. With God we can advance against a troop and jump over its walls.

God knows that the oppression will come against you. Sounding the alarm (crying out to Him) is a great way to be remembered by the Lord and He will save us.

Blessings

Love y’all