Nov20’05

YOUR STAND IN THE LAND

2 Chronicles 20:7-8

When I think of taking a stand:

Mabel Jones standing at the entrance of the missionary compound in China that housed young girls while Japanese soldiers threatened to enter. With her Bible in one hand and an American flag in the other she refused to let them pass. They left.

I think of Gandolph in “Lord of the Rings” and his stand against the dragon as Frodo and his protectors attempt to make their escape. He tells the dragon “You shall not pass!” Wow! I got shivers when that scene happened.

When I think of taking a stand I think of the times that through prayer God has steadied my feet and balanced my thinking.

And when we consider this passage today, I am hoping that you will realize that despite the attacks of the enemy, if you are a child of God dwelling in the land that He has given to you, then all you need to do is take a stand.

King Jehoshaphat was a righteous king. He was a man who did what was right and led the people in a life of holy living. It is important to know this because as the threatening attack came, he had an advocate with God. He was not presuming a posture of prayer but assuming the posture of prayer.

What’s the difference?

If a person who has hurt you constantly in the past came to you for help, would you help him? You might as a Christian but you would do so cautiously. But what if one of your own children- who respected you, called you to say they loved you regularly and even sent you the occasionally card- came to you for help? No question, you would readily and quickly assist them in any way possible.

Jehoshaphat was a regular with God. He sought Him consistently. He obeyed God and his life was filled with blessings. Now, he was not a perfect king- he made certain errors in judgment- but his life overall was one of dependence on God. So when trouble came, he was already practiced in looking to God for help.

How can you stand up for God in the time of trouble? What do we learn from the king’s prayer?

1. Take your stand because of WHO GOD IS.

a. He is the God of history.

“God of our fathers…” He points to those who went before them in establishing a relationship with God.

b. He is the God of holiness.

He is in heaven. Later the people are called on by the king to worship the splendor of God’s holiness. (v. 17)

c. He is the ruler of all nations.

d. He is omnipotent.

God is all-powerful. He can do as He wishes. If He wants to answer our prayers- great! But if He doesn’t who are we to complain? He is God!

So who is God to you?

2. Take your stand because of WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE.

I was in Washington, DC once. I went in 1997 for the Promise Keepers “Stand in the Gap” rally for men. I left my group and walked. I saw the Smithsonian Institute- maybe not all seven but I saw at least one of them. I saw sculptures and gardens. I saw the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. Wow! What a place of history. What a place to be.

All of this belongs to me as an American citizen. This history is mine. It was accomplished by a group of believing men and women during the Revolutionary War.

Now God accomplished great things for His people.

a. He gave them a land.

Long ago God had promised them a place on earth. And God kept His promise. He led them out of Egypt, through the wilderness and to Canaan. This was to be their dwelling place.

b. They dwelled in the land.

They could feel the dirt and breathe the air. It was theirs. The temple was their place to worship God and feel His presence.

c. God helped them in the past.

They had a history that proved to them that God would help them in times of trouble. And here they were, in a time of trouble. They sought God, praised Him and trusted Him.

What do you do when you face trials and tribulations? Do you seek God? Do you praise Him? Do you trust Him with your problems?

A Christian’s true character is often revealed when he or she faces trouble. Integrity is not merely who you are when no one is looking. Integrity is who you are when the chips are down. How do you respond in adversity?

3. Take your stand because of WHAT GOD WILL DO.

The people of Judah did not know what would happen. They saw the enemy approaching. They felt the fear rising. They had one army, the enemy had three. They knew that they were in trouble.

When faced with hard times there are few things that you take hope in:

a. God knows what He is doing.

Being a Christian in a non-Christian world is not easy. But then we have to deal with the same problems as non-believers. It seems that this is not fair when cancer strikes a loved one, or an untimely death or a family break-up. These are realities that we all have to deal with at one time or another.

But be assured that God knows what He is doing.

b. God has the right answers.

Psalm 91:15- “He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” If we regard the Lord as our refuge and dwell in the land as we should, God will answer. What is frightening is the person who does not know God, refuses to attempt to know God and yet expects God to answer.

c. God cares about you.

Jesus tells us this in Luke 12:7- “Indeed, the very hairs of you head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

If God can see the sparrow fall and have pity, He no doubt sees you and your problems and takes even greater sympathy for you.

Conclusion

So what is the conclusion of the matter?

I like what the Apostle Paul told the maturing minister, Timothy in his second letter to him (4:18)- “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen”

So often we think only of this life and the importance of the things we have. But if we are going to take a stand in the land that God has given to us then we need to understand that it is not his earthly life that matters most. It is the eternal life that we have through Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, it is important to know that the land we dwell in as Christians is not this American property where we have built homes and churches. Our land is a spiritual ground that we are called on to stand in.

Ephesians 6:18 calls us to spiritual warfare. We are called on to take up the weapons of warfare through prayer. God calls on us to stand in spite of the attack that rages around us.

You stand regardless.

I’m not totally sure of what every one here is dealing with this morning. Maybe there is a disease ravaging your body. Maybe there is sickness, financial trouble, relationship issues and the like. But be assured of this: As a believer in a mighty Savior, the battle is not yours but God’s Take strength in knowing “that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

God wants to use your problem to perfect the image of Christ in your life and in the lives around you.