The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.  And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and He was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.  And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.  For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
1 Chronicles 5:18-22

The Chronicles are not easy reading, especially the first ten chapters of Book one. There are however, a few gems for thought, and the above verses are one of those jewels.

There were three of the tribes of Israel who had, with the help of the other tribes and Moses had chosen to have their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River.  Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh were those tribes. These three were required to send their fighting men over the Jordan, and aid their brethren in conquering Canaan, and they did. Read Numbers 34:13-16.

These men found themselves in the midst of a battle with the Hagarites, and were about to lose. Then they remembered the LORD, and  cried out to Him for help and God helped them. It was because they trusted in Him. One thing is for sure. They should have trusted the LORD God before entering the battle not wait until they were in the middle of it. I guess it is better late than never.

It is like sometimes we use God like a spare tire that is in the trunk of our cars. We can get to a place we forget about that spare tire, until we need it. Sometimes we can do God that way.

What we ought to do is always be mindful of God, and do like the psalmist wrote “Meditate on His word, day and night” (Psalm 1:2; 77:12; 119:148; 143:5). If we recognize the Lord everyday by getting into His word, and prayer, even praying His word, then He will not be a spare tire, but the Lord who is continually with us.

Jesus Christ is “God with us” and He never fails us. If you do not know Him you cannot know God. Jesus is the only way to God, because Jesus died for our sins on the cross becoming sin for us that we might become His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). When you find yourself in the midst of a battle of sickness, disease, marriage troubles, money problems, drug problems, work issues, or whatever is a battle for you. We all deal with these battles one time or another. I know I need God in my heart and mind every day, and I know that He is with me. I know that because I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God who is Christ Jesus.

Come to Jesus today.