1 Chronicles 5:20 “They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.”

CRYING OUT

1 Chronicles is full of genealogies, which could seem to be a bit boring.  But hold on.  You need to read them slowly and see what hidden gems are in those lists.  Today for instance, in the genealogy of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, this little gem pops out.

These tribes were called valiant warriors, yet they CRIED OUT to God when they were in battle.  That may appear to show weakness!  NO!  They knew in whom their strength laid.  They knew only the Lord could deliver them and help them conquer the Promised Land.  Sadly, just a few generations later they desert the Lord for foreign gods.

TEACHING MOMENT

We need to teach our children to CRY OUT to God.  They need to know in whom to trust.  They must rely on Him to fight their battles.  But this is one of those lessons that you can’t live for them.  You can model it for them, but they have to do this for themselves.

You may be asking, “What battles do my children really have?”  Oh, believe me, they have battles of which you are not aware.  Temptations galore are out there.  Pressure from peers is tremendous.  All those battles will be lost unless the Lord fights for them.  Show them through prayer and supplication how to trust the Lord.

So, are you crying out and trusting yourself?  Are you allowing the Lord to be your shield?  Will you trust Him to fight your battles?  Put down your sword today.  Listen closely to the Great Warrior.  Let Him swing His mighty sword in your defense.

O Father God, help me to lay down my own battle gear and pick up Yours.  Show me how to trust You, even in the midst of the storms.  I claim victory in Your name because it is You who are doing the fighting for me.  Hallelujah!