In today’s verses God’s purpose was to re-affirm to Israel that ‘I am the Lord’ again. They were shown over and over again His power. How often does God show me His power and it goes un-recognized?

I saw a connection between things that happen today that are attributed to other means other than the work of God. Ben Hadad’s officials attributed the previous victory of Israel to the fact that they were people of the hills and so of course they won the battle (vs. 23) . But if they turned the table and fought in the valleys, they would surely have victory. How often do I change my tactics and rationalize to get what I want?

I think of 9/11, so many stories of God’s work in people’s lives because of it. And yet many stories are attributed to the goodness within people. Their own goodness, not God’s work and purposes brought forth in us.

It looked like insurmountable odds (vs. 27). The Israelites were like two small flocks of goats (not your smartest animals) while the Arameans covered the countryside! Can you imagine the tension in the camps, facing each other for seven days? God gave them an incredible victory, not only during the battle but even after some of them escaped, the walls collapsed on 27,000 of them.

Do we believe in God’s promises to us, despite circumstances and what looks like insurmountable odds?

Do I welcome God’s word in the Old Testament to teach me in the today? May you hear God’s voice ‘for you’ today in these scriptures.

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