Does God fight for you?

Hosea 1:7

Does God fight for you, that is a great question, and not by using the might of the military but in ways that become very clear God has come to the rescue?  Verse seven; “But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the Lord their God. I will not save them by bow or by sword or by war or by horses or by horsemen.”

The people of the Northern kingdom “Israel” were ruled by worldly standards and it was a time of affluence, and military might, much like the United States of America.  The people of the Southern kingdom “Judah” had Uzziah who became king at the age of 16 and ruled over Judah for fifty-two years.  2 Chronicles 26:4-5, “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.”

What a contrast between the leadership of the two Kingdoms, one who received directions from the world system, and the other who followed the commandments of God.  Under Jeroboam II (783–741) in Israel, they followed a secular model, and in 2 Kings14:23 we are told he reigned 41 years.  In verse 24 it is recorded; “He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.  He did not turn away from all the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.”   Whereas Uzziah (Azariah; 783–742) reigned in Judah, both of whom had long reigns at the same time, but Uzziah/Azariah time on the throne was 52 years and the two kingdoms cooperated to achieve a period of prosperity.  It is recorded in 2 Kings 15:3, “Azariah did what was right in the Lord’s sight just as his father Amaziah had done.”

So are you wondering how does God fight for me?  When the LORD sees a person set their path on doing His will, seeking His face, not leaning to their own understanding, He will allow them to listen to His counsel.  For many, it requires a new beginning by inviting Jesus Christ in as Lord of your life.  It will require you to give up on religion and understand it cannot do what the finished work of the Cross has already done, “Faith is the Victory that overcomes the world” but not faith in faith, but in the victory of the Cross where Jesus became the victor over death and sin.

A wise child will find protection in obedience, and the same is true for you and I.  A follower of Christ who will not live a disciplined life is in great danger of moving from the protection of the Father, look at Proverbs 4:1-9.  When we desire the will of God, we come to an understanding of two ways to live: asking the Spirit of God to guide you on the path of His desire, and not listening to the many voices that tell you discipline is too hard, and don’t set foot on the path of the wicked, the one who says I will not submit, I will be the captain of my own ship.  You will find those two ways of life in Proverbs 4:10-19.

The straight path seems to be so hard, it’s always running contrary to the culture, and at this time of my history, to stand for absolutes that are found in God’s word; like marriage is between a man and a woman, homosexuals are loved by God, but the act of homosexuality is sin.  That God has not changed, His written Word is without error, and that the only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ and the blood He shed on the cross for our sins.  In Proverbs 4:20-27, you can learn more about how to stay on the path, and God is always fighting for those who seek Him with a pure heart.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice