Have you ever found yourself in need of a pep talk? It’s a tried and true method of instilling courage or enthusiasm in a person. Think about cheerleaders at a sporting event. Their one job is to encourage the team to victory and build enthusiasm in the spectators to continue cheering the team on even when the win doesn’t look promising.
Bringing that concept closer to home, we participate in that same dynamic week after week as we gather for worship at our church. We sing songs meant to inspire and uplift. We listen to sermons meant to challenge and encourage us. We spend time in prayer as we seek peace and comfort. However, as we leave to go our separate ways, many of us leave all of that encouragement and enthusiasm behind at the church and instead focus on the grim realities of life as we know it.
This past week, while driving to the office for work, I was listening to praise and worship music on the radio. As I listened, I felt my spirit lift as the music recentered my thoughts from the busy day that I was facing to the God I was serving. One song, in particular, stood out and as I listened to the lyrics, I began to question why we can sing songs of victory on Sunday and live in fear, anxiety, and worry the rest of the week. That’s when the Holy Spirit began giving me a much-needed pep talk.
The weapon may be formed, But it won't prosper When the darkness falls, it won't prevail 'Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph My God will never fail, Oh, my God will never fail
Lyrics from See a Victory by Elevation Worship
Isaiah was a prophet and a well-known figure in Jerusalem from about 740 – 700 BC. He delivered messages from God to both political and religious leaders of his day. He prophesied about many events that would rock the nation of Judah but also gave a message of hope to God’s chosen people. In Isaiah 54:17, he writes “no weapon forged against you will prevail.” To “prevail” is defined as “to prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious.” Isaiah was telling the people that while yes, there are weapons that are going to come against them, those weapons would NOT be victorious against them.
Today, while we don’t have armies threatening to destroy our country, we face enemies of a different sort and they are probably different for each of us. However, the message that Isaiah spoke centuries ago remains as true today as it did when it was spoken. “No weapon formed against God’s people will prevail.” While circumstances, culture, people, governments, and life itself are all changing, the character of God remains the same.
"He is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Hebrews 13:8
Rest in this fact. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And, if He never changes, then His power and provision also do not change.
There's power in the mighty name of Jesus Every war he wages, He will win Oh, I'm not backing down from any giant 'Cause, I know how this story ends Yes, I know how this story ends
Lyrics from See a Victory by Elevation Worship
The Bible is full of examples where the underdog rose to victory because God was fighting the battle. David stood up to Goliath saying, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” Joshua led the Israelites to march around the fortified walls of Jericho for seven days because God had told him, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.” Gideon along with 300 men would go against the Midianite army whose “camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore” (Judges 7:12) because God had promised to be “with him” (Judges 6:16). King Jehoshaphat with an army that consisted not only of fighting men but of musicians and singers were victorious in battle without ever striking a blow on the enemy. Jehoshaphat was encouraged by what he had heard from God.
“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."
2 Chronicles 20:15.
Time after time, God has come through for His people and He has promised to do the same for you.
Peter in 1st Peter 5:7-10 encourages the 1st-century believers who were under intense persecution to “Cast all of your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” He goes on to write, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
The bottom line is this. Do we believe that God loves us? Do we believe that God is for us and not against us? Do we trust God?
If you answer yes to those questions, it’s time to put down your fear and anxiety and live like you believe; not just on Sunday, but all of the other days of the week. Encourage those around you. Point them to the hope and peace that can only be found in God.
If, on the other hand, your answer to those questions is no but, you are open to having your mind changed, read the account of Gideon in Judges 6 & 7. Gideon was afraid. He was living in a cave – hiding out. He was honest with God and asked a question that is still asked today, “if the Lord is with us, why has all of this bad stuff happened?” God met Gideon where he was and not only brought him to a place of trust, but also to a place of victory.
We are living in challenging times. But they are no more challenging than what other generations upon generations of believers have lived through. God’s promises for us are the same as His promises for them. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He will provide for our every need – not necessarily our wants, but our needs (Philippians 4:19). He will not allow anything to separate us from his love (Romans 8:38-39).
This concludes the pep talk. God loves you and wants you to not only live life but live life abundantly. He knows the struggles you face and wants to let you know that you are never alone, and He will see you through to victory.
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