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1 Chronicles 5:20 (9/20/23)

The Power of Trust

September 20, 2023 • Benham Brothers • 1 Chronicles 5:20

* Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey. 

  * It all starts with Trust (security). 

* 1 Chronicles lists the names of leaders and the number of fighters in each tribe. 

  * It was written to encourage those who were in Babylonian captivity to Trust and Obey. 

* Couched in the middle of all these names, we learn about three of the tribes and how God rescued them from an insurmountable army. 

* Vs 18-20 - “The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service—able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle. 19 They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20 They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.” 

  * The Hagrites had over 100k troops. 

  * How would God rescue them? 

* Notice three things: 

* 1) The trained for battle - they sharpened their skillset. 

  * God gives ability, but we have to turn that into skill. 

  * God didn’t make these guys good with the sword - they had to train for it. 

* 2) They trusted God - they didn't fully rely on their skills or weapons.  

  * They relied on God for deliverance.  

  * Whatever it is that you use in your day-to-day life (your tools, your gifting, your friends, your software, whatever) you must not rely on those things, you must rely on God. 

    * I USE my tools but I TRUST in God.  

    * If you're a farmer you use your tractor to plant crops but you trust in God to bring the harvest.  

    * An insurance salesman uses his ability to connect with people to sell policies but he trusts in God to provide for him financially.  

  * Victory comes when God knows that we trust Him more than the stuff He's given us to use.  

    * We USE stuff but we TRUST God.

* 3) The battle was the Lord’s - God ordained it because He had a plan for it. 

  * Two types of battles: 

    * Ones we cause - because of sin. 

    * Ones God causes - so He can do stuff!

  * God allowed this battle because He was going to destroy the Hagrites and enrich the Israelites. 

  * Vs 21-22 - “They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep and two thousand donkeys. They also took one hundred thousand people captive, 22 and many others fell slain, because the battle was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile.” 

  * How else would the Israelites get this stuff except through a fight? 

* Think of your life, the battles you face. 

  * Is it from God? 

  * If so, then He’s probably sharpening you, dealing w/the person, and enriching you both on the other side!