20-20 Blog

Scripture Focus:

2 Chronicles 32:7–8 “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Observation:

Hezekiah and all Jerusalem watched with dismay as the mighty army of the Assyrians marched toward Jerusalem and set up camp all around. The odds were against him. How could he withstand such a mighty force?

Hezekiah did the right thing. He went to the house of the Lord to beseech God, and he sent messengers to Isaiah the prophet.

Isaiah’s words are amazing: “With him (the king of Assyria) is an arm of flesh; but with us the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”

Hezekiah, in turn, spoke those words to the people, and they were strengthened.

Application:

When the odds look overwhelmingly against me, where do I turn? The enemy has an arm of flesh, but I have the LORD my God to help me and to fight my battles.

Prayer:

Father God, may I receive strength and faith from these words today, just as the people of Jerusalem did so long ago.

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Scripture Focus:

2 Samuel 22:30 For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall.

Observation:

This verse gives such a picture of victory over overwhelming odds! Imagine a troop of soldiers coming at you. “I can run against a troop.” Imagine a high brick wall in your way. “I can leap over a wall.” The key point is not “I can” but “by You I can.” What would be impossible by myself becomes victory with God’s help.

Application:

When I come across a difficulty, it’s time to check with the One who enables me to overcome. Never say “I can’t.” Ask God if it’s his will for me to move forward, and if I’m sure that he has called me to overcome the problem, say “I can,” and begin to move forward in confidence of victory.

Prayer:

Abba Father, there’s no wall or opposition too strong for you. Hallelujah!

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Scripture Focus:

1 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Observation:

There is a war going on. It’s a war of ideas. There are arguments and assumptions being made against the knowledge of God in our culture. How we think affects how we live and therefore our thoughts are powerful. If someone controls how we think, they control us.

Paul says we need to be at war with these ideas that have become strongholds of the enemy, the dark side. We need to cast them down and bring our thoughts back into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Application:

My thoughts matter. Everything begins with a thought. Who has control of my thoughts? Have I been hoodwinked by lies that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God?

Prayer:

Father God, reveal to me where I’ve been believing a lie. Help me to understand and act upon the truth.

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