Tag: Bible Study

Christ, Our Refuge

Aug 2nd, 2023

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”
Psalm 18:2-3 ESV

“Six of the cities assigned to the Levites—three on each side the Jordan—were appointed as cities of refuge, to which the manslayer might flee for safety. The appointment of these cities had been commanded by Moses, “that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge,” he said, “that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.” Numbers 35:11, 12.

The cities of refuge were so distributed as to be within a half day’s journey of every part of the land. The roads leading to them were always to be kept in good repair; all along the way signposts were to be erected bearing the word “Refuge” in plain, bold characters, that the fleeing one might not be delayed for a moment. Any person—Hebrew, stranger, or sojourner—might avail himself of this provision. But while the guiltless were not to be rashly slain, neither were the guilty to escape punishment. The case of the fugitive was to be fairly tried by the proper authorities, and only when found innocent of intentional murder was he to be protected in the city of refuge. The guilty were given up to the avenger.

And those who were entitled to protection could receive it only on condition of remaining within the appointed refuge. Should one wander away beyond the prescribed limits, and be found by the avenger of blood, his life would pay the penalty of his disregard of the Lord’s provision. At the death of the high priest, however, all who had sought shelter in the cities of refuge were at liberty to return to their possessions.

The cities of refuge appointed for God’s ancient people were a symbol of the refuge provided in Christ. The same merciful Saviour who appointed those temporal cities of refuge has by the shedding of His own blood provided for the transgressors of God’s law a sure retreat, into which they may flee for safety from the second death, Revelation 20:6,14-15 KJV.

No power can take out of His hands the souls that go to Him for pardon. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us;” that “we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” Romans 8:1, 34; Hebrews 6:18.
He who fled to the city of refuge could make no delay. Family and employment were left behind. There was no time to say farewell to loved ones. His life was at stake, and every other interest must be sacrificed to the one purpose—to reach the place of safety. Weariness was forgotten, difficulties were unheeded. The fugitive dared not for one moment slacken his pace until he was within the wall of the city.
The sinner is exposed to eternal death, until he finds a hiding place in Christ; and as loitering and carelessness might rob the fugitive of his only chance for life, so delays and indifference may prove the ruin of the soul. Satan, the great adversary, is on the track of every transgressor of God’s holy law, and he who is not sensible of his danger, and does not earnestly seek shelter in the eternal refuge, will fall a prey to the destroyer.

The prisoner who at any time went outside the city of refuge was abandoned to the avenger of blood. Thus the people were taught to adhere to the methods which infinite wisdom appointed for their security. Even so, it is not enough that the sinner believe in Christ for the pardon of sin; he must, by faith and obedience, abide in Him. “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26, 27
Patriarchs & Prophets, pg. 515-517

Reader, where are you abiding? Have you found a place of refuge in Christ Jesus? I encourage you to seek refuge in Christ that you may be protected from the great adversary, the devil, who seeks to prevent all from inheriting eternal life. Christ is the true City of Refuge, abide in Him before the door of mercy is closed.

You have been warned.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Loud Cry Compendium
The Hour of His Judgement Is Come

Jul 27th, 2023

“Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.”
Revelation 14:7 KJV

In reading the Book of Revelation, one would notice that one of the final messages that Christ gave to John was regarding the urgency of His Second Coming and connected with His Coming was the giving of a reward; both to the righteous and to the wicked.

Notice the words of Christ: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work“, Revelation 22:12.

According to Christ, everyone of us will be rewarded based on the deeds done in the body, whether good or evil. The Holy Spirit speaking through Solomon attested to this when he wrote:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 KJV

Therefore, in order for Christ to give His reward to the inhabitants of the earth, from Adam down until those of us living in these last days, some sort of judgment must have taken place in the Heavenly councils, for as it is in the natural so it is in the Spiritual. The judgment of investigation always precedes the sentence, or the reward as it were. Hence why Solomon says, God shall bring every work into judgement.

If we, being mere fallen mortals, go through a period of investigation and judgment before a sentence is given in an earthly court room, how much more the Great God of Heaven will investigate and judge our deeds done in this mortal body, before the great reward is given; either for eternal life or eternal damnation.

Paul himself tells us this as he referenced the words of Solomon:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV

Paul tells us that the God which Solomon says will judge us, is no other than the Son of God, who Himself is God, Jesus Christ, the Righteous.

Did not God, come down into the Garden of Eden to see or investigate the deeds of Adam & Eve before the judgment was given unto them that they should be cast out of Paradise? See: Genesis 3:8-24 KJV

Did He not also come down to see or investigate the deeds that had been done by the inhabitants of the post flood world, in their defiance of His will, in building the Tower of Babel? Was not a judgment done and a sentence poured out in the confounding or confusion of the languages of the people? See Genesis 11:1-9 KJV

In the Parable of Christ to His disciples, did not the King come in to see and investigate the attendees of the Marriage to see if they were wearing the right garments, investigating their characters as it were? And was he who was found not clothed in the right attire not cast out, having rightly received his reward? Matthew 22:1-14 KJV

Furthermore, did not God investigate and judge the deeds done by those wicked inhabitants of Sodom & Gomorrah and the surrounding cities before He gave them the reward of utter destruction? See Genesis 18: 16-22 KJV

Friends, this concept of God judging individuals before He gives them their due reward for their deeds is not a new concept, but in fact it is very Biblical indeed, after all He is the Righteous Judge.

Notice the below vision of Daniel:

“I watched till thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow and the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire;
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The court was seated and the books were opened.”
Daniel 7:9-10 KJV

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands…
Revelation 5:11 KJV

What else is being described here but a court case? The books are opened, and every deed, whether good or bad, is being reviewed in the Heavenly Throne Room. The Apostle John tells us that these ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, are none other than the angels in Heaven. Therefore, we see an image of an ongoing Heavenly Judgment with all the Angels as a jury as it were. God has shown us before hand what shall take place in these last days.

Therefore, if we know that there is a work of judgement taking place now before Christ comes, then this should stir our hearts to put away sin, to confess our wrongs and to plead the Righteous Blood of Jesus Christ upon our lives that we may be cleansed form all sin. For as Paul tells us, Christ is returning for a spotless Bride, without any blemishes and wrinkles, that is, without a trace of sin, Ephesians 5:25-26 KJV.

This Judgment, first starts with the House of God, that is, it starts with all who have ever have professed belief in Christ. For Christ is coming back the Second time, not for sinners, but for the righteous. As we are told, “so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:28 KJV

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:17 NKJV

What will be the end of those who believe not the Gospel of God? Destruction, for the wages of sin is death, eternal separation from God. Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 NKJV

“…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe…”
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 NKJV

Therefore, may these words, cause us to examine ourselves and seek more of the Holy Spirit in our lives, that we may be cleansed and sanctified and prepared to stand in the Day of Christ’s glorious Second Coming. For the great Day of His wrath is come and who will be able to stand? Revelation 6:17

As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God’s remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses: “Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.” Exodus 32:33. And says the prophet Ezekiel: “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, … all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned.” Ezekiel 18:24.
Christ in His Sanctuary pg.177

Friends, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, 1 John 2:1 KJV, a representative who will stand for us in the midst of this ongoing Heavenly tribunal. Not only is He the Judge, but He is also our Lawyer.

Woe unto them who reject Christ and therefore they have no one to plead mercy on their behalf in this Heavenly court room.

Upon which side do you stand Reader?

Loud Cry Compendium
The Flesh Profiteth Nothing

Jul 7th, 2023

“the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 KJV

As children of God, there is a particular way in which we should be living according to Scripture. We are called to be in the world but not of the world, children of obedience and not of disobedience, shining lights in a world full of darkness, witnesses for Christ Jesus. Our lives must be guided by the Holy Spirit, for it is He that will “guide us into all truth“, John 16:13 KJV.

However, we live in a world today, where the thought of overcoming the flesh and gaining victory is seldom preached from the pulpits today. Many “Christians” delight to live in sin, believing that Christ will save them in their sins, but the word of the Lord to Joseph was, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people FROM their sins.” Matthew 1:21 KJV. Christ came to save us from sin and to give us the power through Him, to overcome the fleshly, carnal nature, not to use His name in vain, calling ourselves His servants, yet not striving to gain the victory over the flesh.

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power….”
John 1:12 KJV

Through Jesus, we have the power to become the children of God and as His children we are to be born again, not of the will of the flesh, but by the Spirit and by that same Spirit, we can be over comers.

Said Christ, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit“, John 3:6 KJV. In the sight of God there are two births, those born of the Spirit and those born of the flesh. They that are born of the Spirit bring forth the fruits of the Spirit and those born of the flesh, bring forth the fruits of the flesh. See: Galatians 5:19-23 KJV.

We are further told by the Apostle Paul, “so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God,” Romans 8:8 KJV and again he says “they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God,” Romans 9:8 KJV.

There must be a total casting away of the carnal, fleshly nature through the power that we receive through Jesus, for it is through Him, that we can do all things, and without Him we can do nothing, Philippians 4:13; John 15:5 KJV. The flesh indeed is weak, this is why we must “watch and pray” or we will fall into the temptations that the tempter brings our way.

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Romans 13:14 KJV

“Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,” the Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:11 KJV. In other words, we are to mortify the deeds done in the body, not giving in to the base passions of the carnal nature, because the carnal, fleshly mind is enmity or is in hostility to the law of God and is not subject to or under the control of that law. To be fleshly minded leads to death, eternal death.

Let us never forget that there is a constant war in the mind between the Spirit and the natural fleshly nature. “The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirt against the flesh,” Galatians 5:16 KJV, but if we are sincere, and are truly seeking the power to overcome through Christ Jesus then we can. Hear the Word of the Lord:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV

Ofcourse, the only answer to this is a resounding No! Nothing is too hard for God. He is the only One who can grant us the power to overcome the works of satan and to crucify the fleshly nature. So why not seek Him while He is near and call upon Him while He may be found? Why not draw nigh unto Him, that He may draw nigh unto you reader? For He was tempted in all points such as we are, yet He is without sin. In that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help all of us who are tempted. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Therefore, let us put no confidence in the flesh, for says the Apostle Paul under the influence of the Holy Spirit, “if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die,” Romans 8:13 KJV. Solemn words, but they are the truth and the truth sets us free. Therefore, brethren, make no provision for the flesh to fulfil it in the lusts thereof but choose Christ, believing that through Him, you can overcome because “all things, whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

“We are commanded to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. How shall we do it? Shall we inflict pain on the body? No; but put to death the temptation to sin. The corrupt thought is to be expelled. Every thought is to be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ….. The love of God must reign supreme; Christ must occupy an undivided throne. Our bodies are to be regarded as His purchased possession. The members of the body are to become the instruments of righteousness.”
Manuscripts 1, 1888

Loud Cry Compendium
Don’t be a Demas!

Jun 21st, 2023

“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, DEMAS, Luke, my fellow laborers.”
Philemon 1:23‭-‬24 NKJV

“for DEMAS hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…”
2 Timothy 4:10 KJV

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:15‭-‬16 KJV

And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62 KJV

“The world is given up to self-indulgence. “The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” control the masses of the people. But Christ’s followers have a holier calling. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean.”……sanctification cannot be genuine which does not work this utter renunciation of the sinful pursuits and gratifications of the world. “
Great Controversy p.g 475

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
John 17:14-16 KJV

Remember Lot’s wife. Don’t look back like Demas!

Don’t look back to the riches of Sodom and the pleasures of Egypt nor the worldly mindedness of Babylon. Don’t be a Demas, who, being a thorny ground hearer, accepted the gospel with gladness, but allowed the cares of this world and the love of riches to choke the word thus becoming unfruitful. He therefore returned to his prior unsanctified life “having loved this present world”, 2 Timothy 4:10, Matthew 13:7,22.

For this world will “passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:17 KJV

Loud Cry Compendium
The Armour of God

Jun 20th, 2023
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the WHOLE ARMOUR of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the WHOLE ARMOUR of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ABOVE ALL, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God….”
Ephesians 6:10‭-‬17 KJV
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"We must have on the whole armour of God, and be ready at any moment for a conflict with the powers of darkness. When temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God, and agonise with Him in prayer. 
He WILL NOT turn us away empty, but will give us grace and strength to overcome, and to break the power of the enemy. "
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Christian Experience & Teachings 103.3
For when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him! Isaiah 59:19
The Law & The Gospel

Jun 8th, 2023

“For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to ~~condemn~~ the world, but that the world through Him might be SAVED.” John 3:16-17 NKJV

Human nature is depraved, and is justly condemned by a holy God. But provision is made for the repenting sinner, so that by faith in the atonement of the only begotten Son of God, he may receive forgiveness of sin, find justification, receive adoption into the heavenly family, and become an inheritor of the kingdom of God.

Transformation of character is wrought through the operation of the Holy Spirit, which works upon the human agent, implanting in him, according to his desire and consent to have it done, a new nature. The image of God is restored to the soul, and day by day he is strengthened and renewed by grace, and is enabled more and more perfectly to reflect the character of Christ in righteousness and true holiness.
Review & Herald, September 17, 1895, par. 7

What is to bring the sinner to the knowledge of his sins unless he knows what sin is? The only definition of sin in the Word of God is given us in 1 John 3:4 KJV. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” The sinner must be made to feel that he is a transgressor. Christ dying upon the cross of Calvary is drawing his attention. Why did Christ die? Because it was the only means for man to be saved…. He took upon Himself our sins that He might impute His righteousness to all who believe in Him…. The goodness and the love of God lead the sinner to repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The awakened sinner … is pointed to the law he has transgressed. It calls to him to repent, yet there is no saving quality in the law to pardon the transgression of the law, and his case seems hopeless. But the law draws him to Christ. However deep are his sins of transgression, the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse him from all sin.

The law and the gospel go hand in hand. The one is the complement of the other. The law without faith in the gospel of Christ cannot save the transgressor of law. The gospel without the law is inefficient and powerless. The law and the gospel are a perfect whole….The two blended—the gospel of Christ and the law of God—produce the love and faith unfeigned.
Our High Calling pg.141

Provision has been made. Eternal life and forgiveness of sins can be yours. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.

Loud Cry Compendium
Learn from the Israelites

Jun 1st, 2023

Speaking of the children of Israel, Paul says:

“But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:5‭, ‬11‭-‬12 NKJV

The history of the wilderness life of Israel was chronicled (recorded) for the benefit of the Israel of God (all God’s people) to the close of time. The record of God’s dealings with the wanderers of the desert in all their marchings to and fro, in their exposure to hunger, thirst, and weariness, and in the striking manifestations of His power for their relief, is fraught with warning and instruction for His people in all ages.

The varied experience of the Hebrews was a school of preparation for their promised home in Canaan. God would have His people in these (last) days review with a humble heart and teachable spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed, that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan…..Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel.

When brought into strait (difficult) places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety…. Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only Source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining.”

Patriarchs and Prophets pg. 293

Loud Cry Compendium
Wait for God’s Answer

May 26th, 2023

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:26 KJV

There are precious promises in the Scriptures to those who wait upon the Lord. We all desire an immediate answer to our prayers, and we are tempted to become discouraged if our prayer is not immediately answered. Now my experience has taught me that this is a great mistake. The delay is for our special benefit. Our faith has a chance to be tested to see whether it is true, sincere, or changeable like the waves of the sea. We must bind ourselves upon the altar with the strong cords of faith and love, and let patience have her perfect work.

Faith strengthens through continual exercise.

We must pray more and in faith. We must not pray and then run away as though afraid we should receive an answer. God will not mock us. He will answer if we watch unto prayer, if we believe we receive the things we ask for, and keep believing and never lose patience in believing. This is watching unto prayer. We guard the prayer of faith with expectancy and hope. We must wall it in with assurance and be not faithless, but believing. The fervent prayer of the righteous is never lost. The answer may not come according as we expected, but it will come, because God’s word is pledged.

We need a calm waiting upon God. The need of this is imperious (commanding). It is not the noise and bustle we make in the world which proves our usefulness. See how silently God works! … Those who desire to labour with God have need of His Spirit every day; they need to walk and labour in meekness and humility of spirit, without seeking to accomplish extraordinary things, satisfied to do the work before them and doing it faithfully. Men may not see or appreciate their efforts, but the names of these faithful children of God are written in heaven among His noblest workers, as scattering His seed in view of a glorious harvest.

Wait for the Lord, not in fretful anxiety, but in undaunted faith and unshaken trust.
Our High Calling, pg. 134

And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
1 John 4:14-15 KJV

Reader, whatever it is that you are praying for, whatever your petitions, remember the words spoken in Isaiah; “I, JEHOVAH, will hasten it in its time.” Isaiah 60:22 ASV. God’s time is always the best time, therefore, be still before the Lord & wait patiently for Him.

Loud Cry Compendium
9 Practical Steps For Gaining Victory

May 13th, 2023

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you.”
2 Chronicles 20:17 KJV

There are much lessons that we can learn from the experience of King Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel as seen in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. Their experience is also our experience as Christians and the Holy Spirit in this excerpt lays out before us some practical ways that we, like Jehoshaphat and his people, can also be victorious in the various challenges of our Christian walk.

1. The first thing we must do is to seek the Lord.

In 2 Chronicles 20:1-3, we see that the children of Ammon, Moab and others had set themselves to attack the children of Israel and to destroy them. When this news was brought to King Jehoshaphat, the first thing he did was to “set himself to seek the LORD“. In the midst of our trials and our great challenges, what are we doing? Are we murmuring and complaining and running to man, woman, boy and girl for help as opposed to first seeking the Lord?

Says the Prophet, “Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD” Jeremiah 17:5 ESV.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 20:7 ESV

Like Jehoshaphat, we must first learn to seek the Lord, to turn to Him, for He is our strength and our salvation.

2. We must proclaim a fast.

Not enough Christians dedicate enough time to fasting and prayer. Because they do not practice self denial, they know not how to skip a meal or two in order that they may spend time in personal prayer and devotion with God. If we are going to be able to stand in these last days, we must dedicate time to seasons of fasting and praying.

Notice that after seeking the Lord in prayer, Jehoshaphat “proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20:3 KJV

At times, victory is not gained unless we dedicate time to fasting and praying. Notice the words of Jesus:

“And when He was come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
Mark 9:28-29 KJV

3. Ask God for help.

“And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD.”
2 Chronicles 20:4 KJV

Are we asking God for help? or do we believe that we can do it on our own?

Jesus says, “without me ye can do nothing”, John 15:5 KJV.

In us dwells no good thing, Romans 7:18 KJV, we can do nothing by ourselves, and that includes overcoming in our weak areas and our fallen nature. Therefore, let us ask the Lord for help, let us come before Him and lay all of our burdens, our challenges, our weaknesses, before Him; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved because He cares for us.

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 55:22 KJV

4. Recount God’s blessings & claim His promises.

Notice in 2 Chronicles 20:5-9, Jehoshaphat began to recount God’s blessings & claim His promises. He never forgot how God had been good to the children of Israel in the past, from the days of their deliverance from Egypt unto the inheritance of the promised land which was once promised to Abraham.

Recounting these blessings, he was now able to claim the promises of God, believing in His word because He knew that God’s word cannot fail.

The Word of God endureth forever, He is not a man that He should lie. If He said it, then we can take it to the bank, for His word never fails. When we truly understand this and believe this, then in the midst of our tribulations and in the midst of the fiery furnace, we can move forward by looking backwards because we know that the same God who was good to us in times past, will deliver us from the hand of the enemy and give us the victory.

” David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:37 KJV

5. Confess our weaknesses & keep our eyes on Jesus.

Like Jehoshaphat, we must confess our weaknesses, we must realise that we are helpless without God, without Him, we can do nothing.

Indeed, as seen in verse 12, “we have no might against this great company that cometh against us and we know not what to do.” Nonetheless, like Israel back then, we must say “but our eyes are upon Thee.”

Our eyes must be kept fixed upon Christ for when we take our eyes off of Him we shall sink into the depths of the sea like the Apostle Peter. See: Matthew 15:27-30 KJV. However, we have the promise of His word that when we say “Lord, save me” I am weak and helpless and I know not what to do, immediately, He will stretch forth His hand and save us. Matthew 27:30-31 KJV.

6. Do not fear the trial or the tribulation.

The word of the Lord to Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel was, “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s“, 2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV

Reader, think it not a strange thing, concerning the fiery trial which is to try or to test you as though some strange thing has happened to you. Do not fear, nor be dismayed at the challenge you may be facing, but rather, rejoice for “the Lord test the righteous”, Psalm 11:5 NKJV.

He permits us to go through these challenging circumstances that we may be purified. How else can gold be refined lest it go through the fire? How else can the earthen vessel be fitted for use lest it be baked in the fiery kiln?

But in the midst of the fire, let us remember that, the battle is not ours but it is the Lord’s. Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were thrown into the fire because they chose to stand for God, feared not their trial and committed the battle to God, so we, by God’s grace, learn to do the same.

The battle is not ours to fight, it is the Lord’s. Give it to Him, He shall fight for us and we shall hold our peace, Exodus 14:14 KJV.

Reader, do you believe this? Do you trust the word of God? If yes, “why are ye so fearful, how is it that ye have no faith?” Mark 4:40 KJV

7. Be still.

Again, the word of the Lord to Jehoshaphat and the Israelites was, “…stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you“, verse 17.

Be still and know that Jesus is Lord, the God of all the universe. He sees your struggles and your pain. Cry out to Him, trust Him, believe in Him and once you have done this, be still and wait upon Him.

Learn to be patient is the midst of the trial.

Abraham waited 25 years for the promise of Isaac to be fulfilled, Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 13:14-18; Genesis 16:1-6,15-16; Genesis 21:1-5. 9-14.

Jacob waited 14 years for Rachel, the woman he truly loved, Genesis 29:16-28.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength”, Isaiah 40:31 KJV.

“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope.” Psalm 130:5 KJV.

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:5 KJV.

8. Sing praises.

In verses 20-21, the children of Israel began to sing praises unto God. In the midst of their trial, this did not stop them from giving praises to the Most High. What a valuable lesson we today can learn from them, for, “all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV

Put some pep in your step with a song.

“Let praise and thanksgiving be expressed in song. When tempted, instead of giving utterance to our feelings, let us by faith lift up a song of thanksgiving to God. Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement.”
Evangelism pg. 499

Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever.

9. Victory.

Once done, by faith, then God will bring us the victory, for without faith we cannot please Him. As God confounded the plans of the Moabites and their allies, so shall He confound the plans of the enemy and bring us the victory.

He shall say to satan and his evil angels, “This far and no further.” He shall deliver His people from the hands of the wicked one, for the battle is not ours but it is His. We are the apple of His eye and He shall take care of us.

And once this victory has been received by God’s grace, like with Jehoshaphat, the Lord shall give us “rest round about.”

Let us therefore trust in Him and seek to apply these 9 principles to our Christian walk and stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!

Loud Cry Compendium
Prayer & Faith

Apr 20th, 2023

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them…….And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, |He heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Mark 11:22‭-‬24 KJV; 1 John 5:14-15

Prayer and faith are closely allied, and they need to be studied together. In the prayer of faith there is a divine science; it is a science that everyone who would make his lifework a success must understand. Christ says, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. He makes it plain that our asking must be according to God’s will; we must ask for the things that He has promised, and whatever we receive must be used in doing His will. The conditions met, the promise is unequivocal (undeniable).

For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; then we are to believe that we receive, and return thanks to God that we have received.

We need look for no outward evidence of the blessing. The gift is in the promise, and we may go about our work assured that what God has promised He is able to perform, and that the gift, which we already possess, will be realised when we need it most.
Education pg. 257 – 258

True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessings before it is realised and felt.
Amazing Grace pg. 207

Loud Cry Compendium