Feeling Good Is Not Required

You don’t need to feel good to get going. You need to get going to give yourself a chance to feel good. Feeling good is not a requirement to receive blessings.

Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah, however, who did what was right in the sight of God. I love saying his name. It is pronounced: ji-ˈhä-sə-fat.

Do Not Be Afraid

During Jehoshaphat’s reign a vast army came against the people of God. Jehoshaphat prayed and the reply from the prophet of God is a promise that Christians still rely upon today, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” However, the prophet did not stop there. He went on to say, “…take up your positions; stand firm.” If you do this, then, you will “…see the deliverance the Lord will give you.”

While the battle was God’s, Jehoshaphat still had to face the enemy. He had to get up and get going. Too often, Christians use this scripture as an excuse to do nothing. “It is not my battle, it’s God’s.” But, God does not take us out of the battle; He fights on our side! In all of the challenges that I have faced so far in life, God has been Jehovah Saboth, the Lord my protector and Jehovah Nissi, the Lord my banner. However, this has never meant that there was no role for me to play. 

Want Blessings

God sometimes sends others to reassure us that we are not fighting alone. At one very low point for me, a work colleague and woman of strong faith reminded me of Isaiah 54:17. She gave me this promise on which to focus my attention. I printed the scripture and posted it beside my computer as a daily reminder.

Isaiah wrote “No weapon forged against you will prevail” as a reminder to the people of God. Through this woman of faith, I was reminded that this promise is also for God’s people today. Truly, no weapon or instrument of persecution will be successful. Regardless of feeling good or not, this promise can focus our attention on the fact that Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner, fights on our side.

Focus On God’s Promises

The sense of Isaiah’s words is that attacks against the servants of God will not prevail. God’s people shall have final and ultimate prosperity. These attacks may appear for a time to prosper, but they will not be final. Of course, it is difficult for us to believe that victory is on the way when we are faced with overwhelming odds…or a vast army. 

When you are in a battle, know that “every tongue” means that no one shall be able to injure you by words and accusations. If a controversy arises; if others reproach you and accuse you deceitfully, you will be able ultimately to convince the decision makers of the truth of your cause. 

We all face battles or obstacles in life. If we run and hide because of every ache and pain, we would never accomplish anything. Instead, if you get going, you will likely find that you’ll start feeling stronger. In what promise of God are you trusting? If you don’t have one, use my favorite from Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon forged against you will prevail…” 

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

Isaiah 54:17

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Motivation Is Optional.