There were 44,760 capable warriors in the armies of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They were all skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords, and bows. They waged war against the Hagrites, the Jeturites, the Naphishites, and the Nodabites. They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him. [1 Chronicles 5.18-20]
Wow, what a powerful testimony!
But wait!
But these tribes were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They worshiped the gods of the nations that God had destroyed. So the God of Israel caused King Pul of Assyria (also known as Tiglath-pileser) to invade the land and take away the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh as captives. The Assyrians exiled them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the Gozan River, where they remain to this day. [1 Chronicles 5.25-26]
Well, it was going good there for a bit anyway. What does it mean?
It means that a victory of faith today does not assure a victory of faith tomorrow. It means that our enemy will not stop putting idols in front of us tempting us to trust in them instead of God. It means that as long as we are alive on this earth, we must safeguard against trusting anything or anyone other than Almighty God.
Father, I have trusted You before but I know that is no guarantee I will trust You again. May I be found faithful to You as I learn more about You and Your character - as I learn more of Your Word. Forgive me for allowing myself (even subconsciously) to trust anything or anyone but You.
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