what to do when outmatched by life - ii samuel 20

What To Do When Outmatched By Life

II Samuel 20

Rod HolmesBrighton Chapel

8/9/2009

1967

1967•January 15th – Super Bowl 1

1967•January 15th – Super Bowl 1• January 27th – Crew of Apollo 1 killed

1967•January 15th – Super Bowl 1• January 27th – Crew of Apollo 1 killed• April 28th - Muhammad Ali refuses military service

1967•January 15th – Super Bowl 1• January 27th – Crew of Apollo 1 killed• April 28th - Muhammad Ali refuses military service• May 1st - Elvis and Pricilla Presley are married

1967 Top songs

“I’m a believer” by the Monkees “All you need is love” by the Beatles

1967 Top TV shows

“The Andy Griffith Show”“Here’s Lucy”

1967June

1967June

Alliance of Arab Nations Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan,

Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria

Troops - 525,000 vs. 264,000 Tanks – 2,424 vs. 800 Aircraft – 939 vs. 350 Fronts – surrounded on three fronts

The Six Day War

The Six Day War Results

Israel captured: - The entire Sinai Desert from Egypt - Judea and Samaria, half of Jerusalem, from Jordon - Golan Heights from Syria

The Six Day War Results

In Six Days Israel more than tripled its territoryTotal losses:

Israel – 776 men Arabs – 15,000 men

Genesis 15:18

“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land…”

Romans 8:28

“All things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully”

II Chronicles 20

II Chronicles 20:1-4

After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

What to do when outmatched by life

1. Resolve yourself to pray

Jewel # 1 – We have free access to God

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, So that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in Our times of need.”

Ephesians 3:12

“In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God With freedom and confidence”

Jewel # 1 – We have free access to God

Jewel # 2 – Great things happen when you agree in prayer

Matthew 18:19-20

“"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

2 Chronicles 20:5-7

Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

What to Do When Outmatched by Life

1. Resolve yourself to pray

2. Remind God of His Promises

“God loves to be enquired of by His people and put in mind of His promises. This is refreshing to their memories, reviving to their faith, and renewing to their hope. God's Word is given, not for His sake, but for ours.”

Charles Spurgeon

Binding Precedent

II Chronicles 20:14-17

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.' "

What to Do When Outmatched by Life

1. Resolve yourself to pray

2. Remind God of His promises

3. Take up your position

II Chronicles 20:18-22 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud voice. Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

What to Do When Outmatched by Life

1. Resolve yourself to pray

2. Remind God of His promises

3. Take up your position

4. Worship in the midst of battle

“Inside and outside the wind blows. But when the time comes, like now, then

the storm around me does not matter. The winds within do not matter. Nothing human or earthly can touch me. A wilder storm of peace gathers in my heart. What seems unpossessable I can possess. What seems unfathomable, I fathom. What is unutterable, I utter. Because I can pray. I can communicate. How do people endure anything on earth if they cannot have God?“

Dr. Tom Dooley

What To Do When Outmatched By Life

II Samuel 20