2 Chronicles 13 Devotional

Surrounded Front and Behind

“Thus the Israelites were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers.”2 Chronicles 13:18 (BSB)

Abijah faces Jeroboam's army with half as many men, and before the battle he climbs a hill and preaches. Jeroboam has driven out the LORD's priests and made golden calves for gods, while Judah still keeps the morning and evening offerings (13:5-11). God is with Judah at their head, so Israel should not fight against him (13:12).

But while he talks, Jeroboam's troops slip around behind Judah (13:13-14). Judah cries out to the LORD, and God routs Israel before them, with terrible loss of life (13:15-17). Judah prevailed because they relied on the LORD (13:18). This was not because Abijah was a model king. Another book says he walked in his father's sins and his heart was not fully devoted to God (1 Kings 15:3). The victory rests on God's faithfulness to his covenant and on a desperate cry, not on Judah's record. When you find yourself surrounded, crying out to him is not a last resort. It is what Judah did, and God was not slow to hear.

To think about: Where do you feel surrounded right now, and what keeps you from crying out to God before trying everything else?