Just like
other people, Christians will face different hardships living on this earth.
But God has promised that He will be with us (Matthew 1:23, 28:20; John 14:16).
According to the Bible, God will sometimes let people see His Heavenly Army
with their own eyes when they lack faith, so that they will know He is with
them, and therefore the timid may be emboldened.
When
allaying hatred and bitterness - The greatest difficulty confronting Jacob when he left Paddan Aram with
his whole family was not disengagement from his selfish, mean uncle Laban, but
how to contend with the brother he had twice cheated. So when Esau brought four
hundred men to greet him, he was fearful and distressed. But he was determined
to face up to the mistakes he made, and resolve the hatred and bitterness
between himself and his brother. So he offered gifts and humbly bowed down
before his brother to ask for acceptance. God knew Jacobˇ¦s fear and had compassion
on his weakness even before Esauˇ¦s arrival, so He allowed Jacob to meet His
regiment, so that Jacob would know that the Army of God was with his family for
their protection and guidance. Jacob named that place Mahanaim, meaning two
camps (Genesis 32:1-2). Dear brothers and sisters. If you feel remorseful about
mistakes made in the past, and wish to settle any estrangement with others but
are fearful of the persons you have hurt, donˇ¦t forget the experience of Jacob.
If you have the will to allay the hatred and bitterness, and submit to the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, God will assist you, and will even send two
camps of His soldiers to help you work out the problem.
When
bearing a great responsibility - Joshua the successor to Moses was a mighty warrior. He fought many
battles during the forty years when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness
(Exodus 17:9; Deuteronomy 3:24), and had great victories. After Moses died,
Joshua felt very lonely and frightened because he had to bear the great responsibility
of leading the Israelites into Canaan, destroying strong foes and taking over
their lands. It was a very daunting mission. Joshua was afraid of bearing this
responsibility for several reasons: (1) He lost the mentor from whom he could
seek advice when the great servant of God he had followed for many years died.
(2) It was no easy task to lead a crowd of over two million into battle.
Besides, they were all the descendents of those who rebelled and had no faith.
(3) The seven tribes of Canaan were formidable adversaries with powerful
fighters, strong horses, fortified cities and swift chariots. (4) After
crossing the Jordan, they not longer saw the pillars of fire and cloud nor
received the miracle of Manna. Joshua and the people felt as though they had
instantaneously lost the proof that God was with them every day. At this time,
God sent the commander of His army to meet Joshua to show that He was still
with the people (Joshua 5:13-15). God wishes that those who have been believers
for many years will not live just by reliance on sight and senses, but by the
word of God and faith.
When
besieged and helpless - The king of Aram sent a
large force to besiege the city of Dothan in order to eliminate Elisha, because
the man of God revealed his military secrets time and again to the king of
Israel. When the servant of Elisha woke up in the morning and saw the city
surrounded by the enemyˇ¦s troops, horses and chariots, he was terrified and in
a panic. But Elisha was calm and composed, and full of confidence. He even
prayed for his servant, saying, ˇ§O Lord, open his
eyes so he may see.ˇ¨ Then God opened the servant's eyes, and he saw the hills
full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). Elisha
also petitioned God to strike the entire army of Aram with blindness, so that
they fell into the hands of the king of Israel. Dear brothers and sisters. Are
you in a state of desperation? Do you feel frightened and as though there is no
way out? Please do not forget that you are the children of God. He will protect
and look after you. Our Lord Jesus Christ has promised, ˇ§I give them eternal
life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.ˇ¨
(John 10:28)
Thank God!
In this age of the New Testament, God is pleased to be with those who belong to
Him through the Holy Spirit. Christ said, ˇ§And I will
ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.ˇ¨
(John 14:16)
By:
Daniel To