Topic: LORD, contend against whoever, whatever contends with us.
Texts: Isaiah 49:25; Rom. 8:31.
EXPOSITION:
There are multiples of multifaceted forces that contend with our peace, joy, and overall well-being on earth. These could be human or non-human forces.
Concerning these contending forces, the writer of Psalm 3, was alarmed and cries to God saying: “LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me…” The weird and painful thing about this is that these contentions against us are often without justifiable causes, confirming how wicked the world we live in continues to be. May God deliver us. Amen.
After his cry to God, this writer find solace and he said, “But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.” Beloved in Christ, when we are bombarded with problems left and right, when forces, human and non-human contend against us without cause, the sure and reasonable place of refuge we should run into is the secret place of the Most High; Jesus, the strong Tower is our Refuge and strength, an ever present Help in times of trouble.
The Bible is replete with scriptures from where we can find comfort, hope and peace. Isaiah 49:25 says: “But thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you…” In Psalm: 25:2&3, it written: “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.” Here’s another golden portion in Psalm 27:2-3 “When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.”
In addition to these reassuring scriptures, we have also a blessed assurance in Romans 8:31 – “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” And in v. 37, it says – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Getting these living, powerful words of God on our fingertips to use, there is no doubt that evil forces will think twice before attempting to contend against us for the fear of meeting their Waterloo if they dare to do so!
As we pray this season, may we receive power and the wherewithal to be able to contend effectively with whoever and whatever contends against us; may we overpower and overcome them all in the name of Jesus. Amen. God bless you SHALOM.
