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Monday, April 3, 2023
The idea of “having enough” is really about perspective, right? Saying we don’t have enough in the
U.S. is a very different concept than not having enough in a third world
country. Or maybe at some point in life, we have had a lot, and now there’s not
nearly as much. Everything compares to when there were better days. I heard
ex-pro ball player and sports analyst Charles Barkley talking about his
childhood recently where he said, “I was raised by a single mom and we were
very happy, so as a kid, I really didn’t realize we were poor.” … Perspective.
So this week let’s do what we do here at Sound Mind Set and look for some
biblical perspective from God’s Word on a tough topic.
In 1 Kings 20, Syria was planning to attack Israel again. The Syrian leaders made this decision:
Last time, Israel defeated us in the hills, so that’s the reason we lost. If we
can fight them on flat land, in the valley between the mountains, we can win.
Listen to verses 26-28 …
“The following spring he called up the Aramean army and marched out against Israel, this time
at Aphek. Israel then mustered its army, set up supply lines, and marched out
for battle. But the Israelite army looked like two little flocks of goats in
comparison to the vast Aramean forces that filled the countryside! Then the man
of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: The
Arameans have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ So
I will defeat this vast army for you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
(1 Kings 20:26-28 NLT).
In verses 29 and 30, we read that the Israelites were victorious and what was left of the Aramean
army fled. We see God prove He is Lord, not only of the hills, but the valleys
as well.
Today, we can read a passage like this and think, “How ridiculous! Why would they excuse their
defeat by thinking God is limited to certain areas? Why would they blame
location?”
Listen once again to the key part of this passage …
Then the man of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: The Arameans
have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ So I will
defeat this vast army for you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
Here’s how we often create this same scenario in our own lives…
I believe He is God over my family, but I can’t trust Him with my finances.
I believe He is God over my church, but not my career.
I believe He will watch over my kids, but not my future.
I believe He is God over forgiveness of sin, but He can’t heal my heart.
I believe He blesses everyone I know—but not me.
Do you see the God-of-the-hills-but-not-the-valleys syndrome that we can so easily create? The
limitations we place on a limitless God? The way we apply faith in one area and
not another?
Where are you most struggling with believing God? I want to encourage you to take a few minutes
and talk to Him. Be honest with Him about how you feel and why you are
struggling.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to remember that You are God everywhere in my life—my
mountains and my valleys. Show me Your power in my weakest places. As above, so
below."
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By Kindred Resources / SPS
5
1313 ratings
The idea of “having enough” is really about perspective, right? Saying we don’t have enough in the
U.S. is a very different concept than not having enough in a third world
country. Or maybe at some point in life, we have had a lot, and now there’s not
nearly as much. Everything compares to when there were better days. I heard
ex-pro ball player and sports analyst Charles Barkley talking about his
childhood recently where he said, “I was raised by a single mom and we were
very happy, so as a kid, I really didn’t realize we were poor.” … Perspective.
So this week let’s do what we do here at Sound Mind Set and look for some
biblical perspective from God’s Word on a tough topic.
In 1 Kings 20, Syria was planning to attack Israel again. The Syrian leaders made this decision:
Last time, Israel defeated us in the hills, so that’s the reason we lost. If we
can fight them on flat land, in the valley between the mountains, we can win.
Listen to verses 26-28 …
“The following spring he called up the Aramean army and marched out against Israel, this time
at Aphek. Israel then mustered its army, set up supply lines, and marched out
for battle. But the Israelite army looked like two little flocks of goats in
comparison to the vast Aramean forces that filled the countryside! Then the man
of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: The
Arameans have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ So
I will defeat this vast army for you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
(1 Kings 20:26-28 NLT).
In verses 29 and 30, we read that the Israelites were victorious and what was left of the Aramean
army fled. We see God prove He is Lord, not only of the hills, but the valleys
as well.
Today, we can read a passage like this and think, “How ridiculous! Why would they excuse their
defeat by thinking God is limited to certain areas? Why would they blame
location?”
Listen once again to the key part of this passage …
Then the man of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: The Arameans
have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ So I will
defeat this vast army for you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
Here’s how we often create this same scenario in our own lives…
I believe He is God over my family, but I can’t trust Him with my finances.
I believe He is God over my church, but not my career.
I believe He will watch over my kids, but not my future.
I believe He is God over forgiveness of sin, but He can’t heal my heart.
I believe He blesses everyone I know—but not me.
Do you see the God-of-the-hills-but-not-the-valleys syndrome that we can so easily create? The
limitations we place on a limitless God? The way we apply faith in one area and
not another?
Where are you most struggling with believing God? I want to encourage you to take a few minutes
and talk to Him. Be honest with Him about how you feel and why you are
struggling.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to remember that You are God everywhere in my life—my
mountains and my valleys. Show me Your power in my weakest places. As above, so
below."