There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. Abijah went into battle with an army of four hundred thousand able fighting men, and Jeroboam drew up a battle line against him with eight hundred thousand able troops. 2 Chronicles 13:2-3 NIV
On the surface, it would appear that Abijah and his army had no chance against Jeroboam and an army twice the size of his, but Abijah was the great grandson of David, to whom God had promised his descendants would reign in Israel forever. Abijah’s confidence was not based on the size of his army or anything he could see with his eyes. His confidence rested on the promise of God. Sometimes we look at the circumstances around us and realize the odds are stacked against us, the numbers just don’t add up, and on the surface we have no chance of success. But outside of the physical world, that we can see and touch, there is a spiritual realm that is very real. It’s here that God dwells and His power and authority in the spiritual realm supersede everything in our physical world. That gives me hope! However large your challenges are today, remember that God’s power is greater.
Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Jeroboam and all Israel, listen to me! Don’t you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt? Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, an official of Solomon son of David, rebelled against his master. Some worthless scoundrels gathered around him and opposed Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young and indecisive and not strong enough to resist them. “And now you plan to resist the kingdom of the Lord, which is in the hands of David’s descendants. You are indeed a vast army and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods. But didn’t you drive out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may become a priest of what are not gods. 2 Chronicles 13:4-9 NIV
Abijah viewed the challenge he faced through a spiritual frame rather than a physical one. He considered everything he knew to be true about God. Although he recognized that Jeroboam’s army was indeed vast, he also noted that Jeroboam had not made godly decisions. His faith led him to conclude that he need not fear an army that did not have the Lord’s support regardless of its size.
“As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the Lord are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the Lord. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the Lord our God. But you have forsaken him. God is with us; he is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. People of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed.” 2 Chronicles 13:10-12 NIV
When God is with you, and He is your leader, you never have anything to fear! Whatever attack the enemy is mounting against you today, as you serve God consistently and remain faithful, you can be sure that God will win the battle!
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah the ambush was behind them. Judah turned and saw that they were being attacked at both front and rear. Then they cried out to the Lord. The priests blew their trumpets and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. At the sound of their battle cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands. Abijah and his troops inflicted heavy losses on them, so that there were five hundred thousand casualties among Israel’s able men. The Israelites were subdued on that occasion, and the people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 13:13-18 NIV
From all appearances, Jeroboam should have won the battle; 800,000 troops should have easily defeated 400,000 troops, especially with a plan of attack from both directions. If the odds are stacked against you today, don’t factor God out of the equation! Whatever you face today, financial difficulties, failing health, family conflict, attack on your character, or any other tragic situation, cry out to the Lord, rely on Him and He will see you through the battle!