Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Help from Above” – Wednesday, 9 July 2014 - Scripture: Judges 3:1-11

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Help from Above” – Wednesday, 9 July 2014 - Scripture: Judges 3:1These are the nations that God left there, using them to test the Israelites who had no experience in the Canaanite wars. He did it to train the descendants of Israel, the ones who had no battle experience, in the art of war. He left the five Philistine tyrants, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living on Mount Lebanon from Mount Baal Hermon to Hamath’s Pass. They were there to test Israel and see whether they would obey God’s commands that were given to their parents through Moses.
5-6 But the People of Israel made themselves at home among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. They married their daughters and gave their own daughters to their sons in marriage. And they worshiped their gods.
Othniel
7-8 The People of Israel did evil in God’s sight. They forgot their God and worshiped the Baal gods and Asherah goddesses. God’s hot anger blazed against Israel. He sold them off to Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim. The People of Israel were in servitude to Cushan-Rishathaim for eight years.
9-10 The People of Israel cried out to God and God raised up a savior who rescued them: Caleb’s nephew Othniel, son of his younger brother Kenaz. The Spirit of God came on him and he rallied Israel. He went out to war and God gave him Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim. Othniel made short work of him.
11 The land was quiet for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.
“Help from Above” by Wil Watson
Israel was in trouble—again. There were bad dudes all around them, but their worst enemy was within. It was the same old problem; they kept violating their covenant with God, they even worshiped other gods. The Lord was angry and He let them stew in their misery. Finally, they cried out to Him for help. He responded; He gave them a deliverer who led them back to spiritual obedience and 40 years of peace.
Sometimes we are desperate for help from above. Sometimes we’re just struggling under life’s frustrations. We may be like the frazzled mother who was having a “blue Monday;” nothing was going right. Her spirits rose, however, when she heard her three year old son singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God on Monday.” The kid got the words mixed up but he had his theology right! The Almighty is still the Lord of Mondays, and He’s available to help. Whether it is a bad hair day, your world has turned upside down, or you've messed up big-time, The Almighty is still the Lord of Mondays and He's available to help.

God may test the depths of your trust. He may change you rather than the circumstance. Either way, help from above will come! Remember His promise, “Call on me, and I will answer” (Psalm 91:15).

Hymn for Today:

“Victory All the Time” by Lelia N. Morris
1. They who know the Savior shall in Him be strong,
Mighty in the conflict of the right ’gainst wrong;
This the blessed promise given in God’s Word,
Doing wondrous exploits, they who know the Lord. 
Refrain:
Victory! victory! Blessed, blood-bought victory!
Victory! victory! Vict’ry all the time!
As Jehovah liveth, strength divine He giveth
Unto those who know Him—vict’ry all the time!
2. In the midst of battle be thou not dismayed,
Though the pow’rs of darkness ’gainst thee are arrayed;
God, thy Strength, is with thee, causing thee to stand,
Heaven’s allied armies wait at thy command.
Refrain:
Victory! victory! Blessed, blood-bought victory!
Victory! victory! Vict’ry all the time!
As Jehovah liveth, strength divine He giveth
Unto those who know Him—vict’ry all the time!
3. Brave to bear life’s testing, strong the foe to meet,
Walking like a hero midst the furnace heat,
Doing wondrous exploits with the Spirit’s sword,
Winning souls for Jesus, praise, oh, praise the Lord!
Refrain:
Victory! victory! Blessed, blood-bought victory!
Victory! victory! Vict’ry all the time!
As Jehovah liveth, strength divine He giveth
Unto those who know Him—vict’ry all the time!
Thought for Today:
“Unless we have inside us power from above us, we will surrender to pressures around us.”
Prayer Needs:
Faculty and students as they prepare for full-time Christian ministry in Malawi!
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