Rayni Risher

When You’re Faced With Insurmountable Odds…

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Looking upOne of my favorite chapters in the Old Testament is 2 Chronicles 20. It’s the story of King Jehoshaphat, leader of the people of Judah, seeking God when he was faced with insurmountable odds. War was imminent and Jehoshaphat didn’t know what to do.

In the midst of great pressure, Jehoshaphat shows us an example of the best response to adversity. And watch how God answers him! You can read the entire chapter here.

I’d thought I’d share a few of my favorite parts and hope this encourages you in whatever difficult or confusing situation you are facing.

+After word of the pending invasion (verse 3):

“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.”

I love that the first thing Jehoshaphat does is resolve to seek the Lord, and then invite everyone to join him. How many times do we first seek our own opinion, or run to our friends or someone we don’t even know for advice, instead of asking God, who has all wisdom? Difficult situations in our life should draw us to God, first and foremost.

+From Jehoshaphat’s prayer when Judah was assembled, seeking God (verse 12):

“…For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

Jehoshaphat leads Judah in humbling themselves before God, declaring they don’t have a clue, but they are watching God, and believing that He will respond. How many times do we think we know the answers, and put our eyes on everything or everyone other than God? Or we don’t believe that God will answer us, even when we ask Him to.

+Then God speaks through a prophet–who had the courage to use the prophetic gift God had given him, speaking in front of everyone–(verse 15):

“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.”

It’s interesting that the word of the Lord didn’t come directly to Jehoshaphat. It came from someone else who was also seeking God for wisdom in the situation. God often speaks wise advice into our lives through others. Listen for it. Test it, to be sure. But listen for it. Secondly, the battle is never ours. And God doesn’t want it to be. It’s His. He’ll take care of us. I think He always gives us a part to play in it, but He’s the powerful One.

+Going to battle the morning after the Lord promised Judah deliverance by His hand (verse 21):

“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 Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.”

Oh how I love that the singers were placed in the front of the entire army and as they were marching out to victory they were singing praises to God! As they praised, God began the active work of delivering them.

When we praise God we are encouraged! We become focused on Him and His goodness rather than on our circumstances. And God acts on our behalf!

Also note that in this circumstance, Judah’s army was praising God for who He is and for His love for them. They are focusing on God Himself rather than their problem.

+After the victory God had given Judah (verse 29):

“The fear (reverence, awe) of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.”

Not only did God bring peace and rest to Judah, but I think the most important thing is that God was glorified. All of Judah was strengthened and encouraged by this miraculous deliverance by the living God, something they could remember in the future when they were feeling discouraged; and something that would be told for generations to come.

But, it didn’t stop there. All the surrounding kingdoms stood in awe of God and revered Him when they heard what He had done for His people. God was glorified big time! And a lot of those people in the other kingdoms probably became followers of the God of Judah after that.

So…

Be encouraged in whatever personal battle you are facing today. Seek God. Expect Him to speak to you. Be open to Him speaking to you in a way you weren’t expecting. Do what He tells you to do. Praise Him in the midst of your difficulty. And let the Lord fight for you.

Prayer

God, in the midst of trying and desperate circumstances, I often do not know what to do. But I resolve to fix my eyes upon You, and trust that You will deliver me. Give me wisdom and a heart of worship. Encourage my heart as I focus on Who You are. You are always good. Amen.

 

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Now is the Time to Be Brave

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When I think back over the last 15 years, there have been so, so many times that God has come through for me in my weakness. At this point, it’s almost impossible to doubt that He will come through for me…because He always has.

But I would have never known that kind of faith, assurance, trust and strength in Christ if I hadn’t been weak.

Especially in America where I live, there is a great importance put on doing things in your own power and strength. Whatever you do don’t ever look weak or admit a weakness, for goodness’ sake!

And yet, when we are weak, Christ’s power comes through so strong!

Paul, a hero of the faith who wrote a majority of the New Testament, wasn’t afraid to admit his weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 he wrote, “Each time (God) said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (NLT)

Weakness is actually a good thing because it’s God’s power that works through you. You know you can’t take the credit for it!

That doesn’t mean that we should view ourselves as a victim or be lazy or feel sorry for ourselves. And it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be intentional about working through issues and being strengthened in what Jesus has done for us. We should!

But it does mean that I am happy to lean on God’s strength to supply all my needs, especially in those areas where I often feel weak.

For example, in my physical limitations dealing with many years of chronic health problems; or when I battled through a prolonged period of  intense fear and anxiety; or when I feel ‘in over my head’ with work and ministry opportunities…I lean on God and He always shows up with His strength. Always.

It’s what He does.

In myself, I am often weak. In Christ, I am strong and lean into His “limitless strength” (See Psalm 147). Limitless means “without end, limit, or boundary”. That is the kind of strength God has and that’s what He offers to us.

I don’t know about you, but that is the strength I want to rely upon.

King David, who is described as a man after God’s heart, knew about that limitless strength and continually relied upon God to pour out strength in his weakness, trials and vulnerabilities. David even said to God, “O my Strength, I will watch for You, for You, O God, are my fortress. My God in His steadfast love will meet me…” Psalm 59:9-10 (ESV)

David knew that God was his strength, and that God would meet him with love and protection.

When I see other people being brave, it gives me more courage to be brave. And in turn, others will be encouraged when they see me (and you!) being brave.

Now is the time to follow God and to be all that He has created you to be. Don’t shrink back. Don’t give up. God’s grace is sufficient for you. Rest in His faithfulness and strength even when you feel entirely weak.

What do you need to be brave in today? Where do you need to take a risk, a leap of faith?

Join me in taking that step today. Because now is the time to be brave, knowing that God’s strength will meet us and carry us forward.

“So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

 

 

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Dancing at the Crossroads

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Going through a time of transition can be one of the most stressful experiences in life. Even if it is a fun transition it can cause stress as you manage all the details.

A couple months ago my husband was talking to someone about being at a crossroads in his life. The person mentioned that in Ireland people used to gather at the crossroads in the city to dance. I thought this was interesting so I looked it up to find out more.

“It was a type of social event popular in Ireland up to the mid-20th century, in which people would congregate at the large cleared space of a crossroads to dance; often to the accompaniment of a single accordion.” (Wikipedia)

After reading this I immediately thought, being at a crossroads in life is an invitation to worship God!

Being at a crossroads can feel like a blessing and a curse, can’t it? We can be filled with the excitement of all that is to come but often I think it’s more a time of experiencing waiting, fear, confusion, or fretting about making a decision. Sometimes it’s all of those emotions rolled into one giant emotional roller coaster.

But here’s the thing…either way, it’s a perfect opportunity to worship God!

Why worship?

Two reasons. First, no matter what is happening in our lives, God is worthy of our praise.

Also, worship breaks the chains that are binding us! And other people get to witness God’s powerful response in our life.

I love reading about Paul and Silas in Acts 16. They were in a city sharing the good news about Jesus when some people got mad at them and started accusing them. It quickly escalated to a riot with the local authorities ordering that Paul and Silas be stripped, beaten with rods, and imprisoned.

As they both lay shackled in the jail cell, instead of feeling sorry for themselves, this is what they were doing:

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” (vv 25-26)

Not only were Paul and Silas freed from prison but all the other prisoners were loosed, too! Those who witnessed Paul’s and Silas’ worship–and God breaking the chains–were deeply affected. As a result the jailer and his entire family believed in Jesus.

Just like in this story where God broke off physical chains, worshiping God breaks off the invisible chains of fear, anxiety, doubt, anger, and other negative emotions. And…not only are we set free, but the people around us who witness our worship and God’s response to it get to encounter God as well.

So…

+Are you at a crossroads in your life?

+Are you experiencing a difficult situation where you are tempted to turn from God rather than turn to Him?

I want to encourage you to worship God even if you don’t feel like it. Just try it and see what happens.

Worship isn’t just singing or dancing, it takes on many forms, but even just simple verbal praise to God is powerful.

This is one definition of worship I like as it relates to God:

“Worship is an active response to the character, words and actions of God, initiated by His revelation and enabled by His redemption, whereby the mind is transformed (e.g. belief, repentance), the heart is renewed (e.g. love, trust), and actions are surrendered (e.g. obedience, service), all in accordance with His will and in order to declare His infinite worthiness.” (Theopedia)

Worship is a choice. Always. Some of the times I’ve been most encouraged by God are times when the last thing I wanted to do was worship Him. But as soon as I start making myself thank and praise Him, it always snowballs from there and carries me to a genuine place of peace and encouragement.

Like the psalmist, sometimes we just need to tell ourselves what to do. “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)

So, when you find yourself at your next crossroads, take a minute to dance!

(photo credit: National University of Ireland in Galway, 1891.)

 

 

 

 

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Hope of Wholeness

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I hear the church bells near my home begin to ring and hope sings out to my heart.

As we celebrate the first week of Advent, I’m reminded that Jesus is not just our hope for eternity, but He is also our hope moment by moment, day to day, no matter what we face. Hope for the mom who is sidelined by depression; hope for the man riddled with guilt and regret; hope for the orphaned child who has been abused. Hope for you and for me.

Jesus.

He is The Hope who was prophesied about for thousands of years…

“The people who walked in darkness 
have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—light! sunbursts of light! … For a child has been born—for us!
 The gift of a son—for us! He’ll take over the running of the world.
 His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father,
 Prince of Wholeness.
 His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.” Isaiah 9:7-12

He is The Hope who became flesh when His light was born into our darkness…

“The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:10-12

He is The Hope who reigns over eternity…

“I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: ‘Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone.’ … The Enthroned continued, ‘Look! I’m making everything new.’” Revelation 21:3-5

Even in the midst of our darkest night. Even in the depth of our deepest fear. Even in the wail of our devastating heartache. Even in the shadow of our darkest sin. Jesus reaches out to each one of us and offers us the hope of wholeness. The hope of redemption. The hope of healing. The hope of new life.

Hope sings out. Can you hear it?

 

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Worship in the Wilderness

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We all love to hear testimonies of how God has healed someone or powerfully delivered them from a difficult circumstance.

But what about the people who are still in the midst of the wilderness? Those whose healing or deliverance hasn’t come yet?

How do we walk faithfully in the midst of “not yet”?

As I walk through my own ongoing health issues, I’m continually learning the importance of doing some key things that help to bring me hope in what often feels like the wilderness.

Remain in Christ
Jesus says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with Me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.” John 15:4-5

In this verse the Greek word for “remain” is “meno” and translates “to remain, abide, stay, wait.” To make your home in Christ.

For me, it is essential to do everything I can to simply remain. Depending on what you’re going through, some days just being intentional about remaining in Christ is a victory!

Trust
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Even when I don’t understand God’s timing, I have to make a decision to trust Him; to believe that He is in control, and He is good.

Encourage Yourself in the Lord
Like the psalmist, sometimes we just have to tell our soul, “Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Psalm 103

This one is essential. Some ways I encourage myself in Christ daily are reading the Bible, listening to sermons, turning on music and worshiping God, meeting with friends, prayer, remembering the prophetic words God has spoken over me, begin giving thanks to God for everything I can think of.

I find that I have to be intentional about doing these things. Sometimes it feels easier to throw a pity party but that doesn’t get you anywhere good. I can’t tell you how many times I have felt discouraged only to make myself be encouraged in Christ, and it instantly brings joy.

Remain in Community
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…” Hebrews 10:25

Koinonia is a Greek word that means “community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy.” It’s essential for us to regularly have times of koinonia with God and with other believers.  Look for ways to connect even when you’re not feeling so great.

This week I want to encourage you, if you’re in the midst of the wilderness, to just keep walking! Remain in Christ, trust Him, encourage yourself in the Lord, and keep fellowshipping with other believers.

God is good and He can be trusted. He’ll deliver you in His timing…which always ends up being the right timing.

 

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