When the Odds Are Against You!

2 Chronicles 13:3 -And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.

This is a wonderful passage of scripture that encourages me time and again in the midst of challenging situations.

In this passage, we have the king of Judah, Abijah, and the king of Israel, Jeroboam, who are set for battle. Abijah had an army of 400,000 valiant men of war and Jeroboam had an army with 800,000 chosen men, being mighty men of valour.

Both kings had warriors on their side, but Jeoboam had twice as many men as Abijah had. Not only that, Jeroboam had been king for 18 years and Abijah for only three years. So not only does Jeroboam, king of Israel, have more men, but he also has more experience at being king and dealing with warfare.

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt that the odds were against you? Your enemy had the deck stacked so heavily against you that there was no possible way you could win? Maybe his finances were so much greater than yours that you felt the war had already been decided?

It’s amazing how often people come under attack from the enemy and they are the person “most likely to lose” even before they get started. Well, this was the case with Abijah. He was slated to lose this battle.

This scenario happens in every aspect of our lives. In a sporting event, there can be a strong team and a weak team; in a divorce there can be a rich or connected person and a “not so rich or connected person”. In a job situation, there can be a boss and an employee, a system against an individual. I think you get the point. This is not a new thing under the sun. And it wasn’t new with Abijah! 

Well, I want you to know that Abijah wasn’t worried about his status as a new king, the size of his troop, or the victories of Jeroboam! He wasnt’ even worried about losing! 

How about you? Are you in a situation that seems impossible for you and you’ve been slated to lose? I’ve got news for you…the tables can turn in your favor. Check back in to my next post (or read the story for yourself) and see how Abijah dealt with the overwhelming odds that were against him. Wonderful Jesus!!