Unexpected Win

Ezra 1:1

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing.

Pacquaio’s knockout loss to Marquez yesterday came as a shock to everyone. I myself was dumbfounded seeing the still frame from my friend’s laptop. It was tragic. Almost unbelievable. The replay was proof that the People’s Champ was in full control prior the last-second counter-punch. He even knocked him down on the fifth round. But to Manny, this was not unexpected. ‘Hey you know, this is boxing…’ he said to his saddened people in the locker room. Marquez was there to beat him off. That’s what opponents do.

On their seventieth year as exiles in Babylon, Judah saw a new, great empire rising: Persia. They overheard that the ruler, Cyrus, was able to overthrow the mighty Median empire. His stunning reputation even pushed the kings of Babylon, Lydia and Egypt to unite against him. I can imagine the anxiety of the Jews at the thought of a fiercer lord over them. When Babylon was infiltrated, they were ready for the worse news. But the unexpected happened: instead of a heavier yoke, they were proclaimed free to go home! I’m sure they stood there for a while in disbelief. Because that’s not what conquerors do!

The verse above gave us the reason for the unlikely turn of events. No, it wasn’t because Cyrus was overly kind (or foolish), and definitely not because he had any love for the Jews. Truth is, God promised his people deliverance and He will accomplish his will, at the exact time He said He would, and through the exact person He said He would. Proverbs 21:1 notes ‘The king's heart is in the hand of God, He directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.’ That’s the same God who promised us deliverance from our troubles and foes. He can move the heart of anyone, even our enemies, just so we can receive what we have been promised. This shouldn’t surprise us. ‘Hey you know, this is God!’ That’s what He does.

Face Your Fears

2 Chronicles 20:15

He said: 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'

One of my challenges as a mom is to act brave in front of my kids.  I’d probably be Pixar’s last-considered Merida-alternate, if not for my hair, hahaha :> My heart stops at dogs, I jump high with mice, and I hide fast from cockroaches. Add to that my uneasiness around electric wires, tech-y gadgets, and carrying cash above P1,000. I’d rather lock myself in or cry trying.  Both in resolute stubbornness. But I wouldn’t want that with my kids – especially not my boy. And so I held my breath for as long as I can while walking past our neighbors dogs; I made it look like some fun time when we’re chasing cockroaches or mice with our brooms (so they’d think my once-in-a-while hiding was part of the game); and, I pray under my breath whenever I had to dare the rest of my fears so they won’t have to. Because they don’t have to.

Imagine three vast armies marching towards your land, ready to destroy everything and everyone you hold dear, and you’d be terrified as Jehoshaphat. Add to that his context of God’s wrath on him when he sided with the pagan Ahab prior this chapter. Such disabling fear would have defeated him even before the war started. But seeing all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones around, he couldn’t succumb to doing just nothing. His hands were probably still trembling and his knees shaking when he called all Judah to a fast. He didn’t act brave nor tried to cheer them up for he had none to give. In mercy and faithfulness, God came upon the Levite Jahaziel with these words: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged’.  T’was the same instruction Moses passed on to Joshua; same wisdom David taught Solomon.; and, the same order Hezekiah gave to his men. In all four occasions, that line was preceded with ‘be strong and courageous’, and concluded with ‘because God is with us’. And that gave them victory – even before the war started.

‘Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you’. God told Jehoshaphat to march down against the vast army - not to passively wait for His salvation. For as much as God intended to deliver them from those outside their gates, He also wanted them victorious against their battles within. As leaders and parents, that’s our feet taking the first step. And it’s okay to admit we’re scared too. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it – in the context of faith. I have to tell you that walking past those dogs has been a faith journey for me and my kids. I think they know by now that I’m as scared as they are. But I tell them, and myself, repeatedly that Jesus will protect us, and we’ve been rejoicing at end of that stretch for the longest time. Your fears may be a thousand times serious-er than mine, but God has the same words for you:   ‘Go out to face them.. and the Lord will be with you!’