Summary: Like the godly king Abijah our enemies can sometime get us in what looks to be a hopeless situation. Follow his pattern and recieve his blessing.

What to do when it seems hopeless (2 Chron. 13:1-20)

1- Have you ever been in what seemed to be a hopeless situation?

2- Jereboam one of the most wicked kings Israel ever had makes war with Abijah a godly king of Judah.

3- Jereboam has 800,000 mighty men of valour and Abijah has only 400,000.

4- Jereboam sets an ambush using a flanking maneuver he attacks from “before and behind.”

5- The situation is hopeless?

This story is a pattern of what to do when it is hopeless (Steps)

1- Remind the Enemy Who You Belong To. (vv. 4-5, 10-12)

1- You have an enemy! (Eph. 6) [Believer and non-believer)

2- As a believer you have authority! (Authority means the right to act or use power)

2 Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Lu 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)

3- The Name of Jesus has incredible authority and you have the right to use His Name!

Ps. 118:10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. 11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Prov. 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

4- You had better check you connections before you try this! (Acts 19:14-20 – Seven son’s of Sceva)

5- If you do not know Jesus Christ personally – Why not NOW???

1 Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

6- God is not just God over spiritual matters – He is God over EVERYTHING!!!

2- Tell the Enemy Who He Is. (vv. 6-9)

1- Can’t blame everything on the devil, but he is opportunistic! (Eph 6)

2- He is a rebel with limited authority – just like Jereboam is in this story!

3- Tell the devil about his self!!!

4- He “will not prosper”.

3- When He Attacks - Cry out to the Lord. (v. 14 a)

1- I didn’t say to “cry”, I said to “cry out to the Lord.”

2- Prayer is your not so secret weapon.

3- Dependence on God is your constant companion.

4- Give A Great Shout Of Faith. (V. 14 B–15)

1- Encourage yourself in the Lord!

2- Make a personal stand of faith. (Raise up a standard!)

3- This shout is for the benefit of the shouter and the hearer!

4- Be prepared – Know what you are going to do! Don’t leave it to chance!

5- Attack – (vv. 16-17)

1- You know you have authority – USE IT!

2- Take a lesson from David

1 Sam 17:48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. (KJV)

3- David not only ran towared the giant, he ran toward the "army".

Ps 27:1 <> The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Pr 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

It is time to “Shout and Attack

BATTTLE CRY!

I am a soldier in the army of my God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer.

The Holy Bible is my code of conduct, Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit--

trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.

I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this army;

but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.

If my God needs me, I am there.

If He needs me in the Sunday school to teach the children,

work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn I’ll be there.

He can use me because I am there!

I am a soldier.

I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up,

picked up, or pepped up.

I am a soldier.

No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.

I am a soldier.

I am not a wimp.

I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom!

No one has to send me flowers gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts.

I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.

I am committed.

I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.

I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.

I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead.

I will win.

My God has, and will continue, to supply all of my needs.

I am more than a conqueror.

I will always triumph.

I can do all things through Christ.

Devils cannot defeat me.

People cannot disillusion me.

Weather cannot weary me.

Sickness cannot stop me.

Battles cannot beat me.

Money cannot buy me.

Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me.

I am a soldier.

Even death cannot destroy me.

For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield He will promote me to Captain and then allow me to rule with Him.

I am a soldier in the army and I’m marching, claiming victory.

I will not give up.

I will not turn around.

I am a soldier marching, heaven bound.

~author unknown~