Stand Strong

God strengthens you not so you can focus on yourself, but so you can faithfully care for, refine, and love the people He entrusts to you.

“Then the Israelites said, “Tell us how this awful thing happened.” All the men rose up together as one, saying, “None of us will go home…We’ll go up against it in the order decided by casting lots. So all the Israelites got together and united as one against the city…What about this awful crime that was committed among you? Now turn those wicked men of Gibeah over to us…the Benjamites would not listen…The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” The Lord replied, “Judah shall go first.” The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day. The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and they inquired of the Lord. They said, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?” The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”…the Benjamites came out from Gibeah to oppose them, they cut down another eighteen thousand Israelites…all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings…The Lord responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.” The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel”

Judges 20:3, 8-35

How should we respond to injustice and evil? The Bible says we are to come together as one.  We are to see God recognizing that He is our strength and we are stronger together. The people of Israel chose to stand up and the people who had done evil refused to listen. Jesus said in this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world. 

Within this text, there is an even deeper message about the cost of fighting back and how to fight. At first the people of Israel simply ask God for a strategy of how they can win, but ultimate victory comes when they all come together, humbling themselves and listen to how God will give victory. He is our strength. Three questions emerge. Where does God want to use you to help another person? Who else could you come alongside in community? Do you feel like you have to fight your battles or do you believe God alone holds the keys to victory?

“Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel! “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. “If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” Psalms 81:1, 7-16

How many times does God have to say listen before we will hear? God promises that He will protect us, provide for us, and be present with us. Why do we ever listen to the voice of fear or the lies of the enemy?

God says he wants to feed us with the finest wheat. He knows what you need, do you know that you need Him? The key versus is that the Lord is my strength. We were never meant to do life alone or handle all that we face apart from God. We were meant to live with daily dependence on the divine.

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;” Proverbs 27:1-23

It’s amazing to see the connection between the texts. Death and destruction and earthly desires are never satisfied. We saw on the text that the Benjaminites would not listen in Solomon says fools do not listen.  Why? Because they loved their sinful ways. They chose pleasure over a life, pleasing to God. 

After God strengthens us, he turns our attention to strengthening others. he says as iron sharpens iron so we sharpen each other. Who are you strengthening? Who is shaping you? We all should have mentors and mentor others. He says know the conditions of your flock.  He says that water reflects the face so your life reflects your heart. What does your life say about your heart? Solomon says you will be tested by your praise. David said sing for the Lord is your strength. 

“Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!…Surely you will fear me and accept correction…they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did…Therefore wait for me…I have decided to assemble the nations…Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder…I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord…Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. At that time I will gather you…I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples…I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:1, 7-20

God was speaking to the people who were evil and oppressed others like the Benjaminites in judges and the Israelites when they had gone astray. He is speaking to us today. We live in a world of injustice and oppression. The question is do we care? Do we want to be people who help make a difference? 

God is the one who has a plan to bring all people back to Him. He sent Jesus that the world would be set right. Is it not amazing to consider that God is the one who saves us and sings over us? We are tested by our praise how much more worthy is God that He pursues and sings praises over us? He gives special attention to the meek and the humble.  

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. And this is what he promised us—eternal life.”

1 John 2:1-3, 9-25

Have you ever thought about the truth that Jesus sits at the right hand of God and advocates for you? Not only does he not judge you, but he actively intervenes on your behalf because He loves you that much.  After He strengthens us, we are called to strengthen others.  Who could you strengthen today? 

The real challenge comes in the middle of this text. Do you really care? Do you care enough about God that doing His will comes before anything you might want? Do you have anyone in your life who you hate? If you do, John says you are not walking in the light. There is no margin here.  God does not allow us to hate even one person. 

John says if you love the world. If you love the desires of the flesh, of the eyes, and pride, then you will go astray and not receive the power of God’s love. Where do you need to change? Where have you been allowing your heart to be filled with the desires that are not from God and holding onto grudges from the past?

God wants to give you eternal life. A life so meaningful, powerful, purposeful, and connected because of your personal relationship with Jesus that you cannot help but impact the world around you. It all begins with giving your heart to Jesus and realizing that we belong to each other. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and as people who belong to each other, we have a calling that involves sharpening, shaving, and standing up for one another. 

The Lord is our strength and Savior, and because of that, I am called to intentionally know, care for, and refine the people He has placed in my life leading them in truth and love. Jesus said love one another as I have love you. Let’s love others as he has loved us. Let us today listen to God that He would be the source of our strength and song within our heart.