Otis McMillan ~ When You Are Embattled
Are you embattled?
When you are embattled, remember that the battle and the victory belong to God: God uses man because of choice, not need.
“And the Lord said unto Gideon, ‘The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, mine own hand hath saved me.’” – Judges 7:2
Because of sin, Israel found themselves oppressed by the Midianites. Responding to their cries, God chose Gideon and 300 men to deliver them from the hand of their oppressor. The Lord made it clear, by the small number he chose, that the battle and the victory would be his. Though he worked through these men it was by choice, not by need.
God uses people to fulfill his will. As God uses you to accomplish tasks or to bless others, it is essential you understand it is by choice, not need that you are being used. God needs no one to ensure victory. The battle and the victory always belong to him.
When you are embattled, some answers must come from God. Ask, and God will respond. In 1 Samuel 30:8, we read, “And David enquired at the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them?’ And he answered him, ‘Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.’”
David was uncertain as to how he should react. As he and his men returned to Ziglag, they discovered that their city had been burnt, their wives and children had been taken captive, and David’s men spoke of stoning him. David knew that there was only one that could direct his actions. He inquired of the Lord and the Lord told him to pursue.
You will face situations in your life that will leave you uncertain as to what actions you should take. In some circumstances, there will be no one that can offer sound counsel. The key is to know that if you ask, God will respond. He has the right answer for every situation, do not hesitate to inquire.
When you are embattled, you are one adjustment away from a great breakthrough: whatever needs set aside, do it now.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
Many of the lives of God’s people contain one or possibly more areas that hinder their growth in the Lord. Unfortunately, their dreams and aspirations are not fulfilled because of these areas. The scripture tells us that every weight, as well as the sin that besets us must be laid aside. The race cannot be run successfully until the adjustment is made.
As you seek the blessings of the Lord in your life, it is essential that you recognize anything that hinders your relationship with the Lord must be corrected. As you commit all to the Lord, you will become a recipient of the fullness of his promises. You may be just one adjustment away from your breakthrough. That adjustment needs to be made now.
Are you embattled? God does not need you, but God does choose you; ask God for wisdom – he will respond; make any adjustment necessary in areas hindering your growth. The battle and the victory always belong to him.