I wonder if God purposely tucks away golden nuggets of truth in unlikely places. Maybe just to see if we’re paying attention.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

God promises to reward those who seek Him. Part of seeking Him involves reading and studying His word. Even the parts we tend to skip over. The “boring” stuff.

The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles are mostly long lists of names, but right in the middle of all of those names, we find this little gem:

The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service—able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle. They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep and two thousand donkeys. They also took one hundred thousand people captive, and many others fell slain, because the battle was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile.

My one son-in-law is a Marine. The other is going through Army Special Forces training. Add to them another 44,758 men and we equal the force mentioned above.

My son-in-law, the Marine, in Afghanistan.

But these guys didn’t win their battles because they were able to handle a shield and sword. And not because they were good with a bow. It wasn’t their military training that led to victory.

They were helped in fighting because they cried out to God during the battle. He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. They seized livestock and took prisoners because the battle was God’s.

God hasn’t changed. And stories like this were recorded for our instruction.

What is your default mode when battles or difficulties come?

Do you go into planning mode to try and figure your way out? Do you fall back on your experience, on what has always worked before? Do you run to friends for advice? Do you allow anxiety and worry to overwhelm you? Do you let fear paralyze you?

God isn’t impressed by our great ideas. He doesn’t need our strategic plans. And victory isn’t dependent on our level of training or even our hard work .

You will be helped in the midst of your troubles when you cry out to Him. He will answer you because you trust in Him. The battle you’re facing is not yours. It’s His.

Does it mean we don’t have to plan or prepare? Or that we don’t need more education or training?

No, that’s not what it means. The military force from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh was trained for battle. They were skilled, well-trained fighters.

The issue was one of trust and reliance. They trusted God. When the battle was raging, they didn’t panic. They didn’t run. They cried out to God and relied on Him to help them. And He did.

What are you facing today? Unemployment? A mountain of past due bills? An ongoing medical issue? A strained relationship that feels beyond repair?

Remember, God helps those who trust in Him. He helped these soldiers a few thousand years ago. He hasn’t changed. He will help you, too.