Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 32
But with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. (2 Chronicles 32.8)
Devotional Thought: Spiritual realities may remain unseen to the untrained eye, but that does not mean they are not there.
The Bible says that "Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself" (2 Chronicles 32.1). Sennacherib was a godless man who could not see the spiritual realities that were obvious to Godly King Hezekiah:
God is with us. The world cannot see what we know in our hearts - that God is with us. Jesus is, after all, called Emmanuel - God with us. God sent his Son into our world to be with us, and Jesus promised that he would be with us always. Child of God, no matter what you are facing, you can do so with confidence because Jesus is at your side. You are never alone.
God helps us. When Jesus was preparing his disciples for his ascension to the Father, he wanted them to understand that he would be with them in an even better way - through the Holy Spirit. He identified the Spirit as a paraclete, or helper. You see, the Lord does more than accompany us, he helps us and empowers us. He guides us and enlightens us.
God fights our battles. Jesus took on our greatest enemy - death - and defeated it. On the cross, he entered death and carried sin with him, but on the third day he rose again from the grave! He has won the ultimate victory, and he has the power to defeat every lesser enemy that comes against you.
Are you like Hezekiah or like Sennacharib? Will you choose to ignore the spiritual realities around you, or will you receive the presence, help, and power of the Lord?
Prayer: Lord, all too often I operate with the eyes of flesh and not of faith. Help me to see what Hezekiah saw - But with me is the Lord my God. I open my eyes to the unseen realities of the Spirit. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 80:4-7
4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!
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