2 Chronicles 13

“So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their ancestors.” (2 Chronicles 13:18, NLT)

Rehoboam’s son was named Abijah, which means “Yahweh is my father”. He only reigned for three years. For the most part he walked in the sins of his father (1 Kings 15:3). But we are given the account of his battle against Jeroboam of Israel where he relied on the LORD.

Jeroboam brought out an army of 800,000 whereas Abijah only had an army of 400,000. But Abijah knew that they had the worship of the LORD and the temple, whereas Jeroboam had made two gold calves in the north and south of Israel. He had cast out the Levitical priests and made anyone a priest who offered a bull and seven rams to things that were not gods. But the LORD was the God of Judah, and the priests and Levites continued to offer daily sacrifices to Him in the temple in Jerusalem. Therefore, Abijah had confidence that the LORD was with them.

But Jeroboam set an ambush behind them so that Abijah’s men were surrounded. Therefore, Judah cried out to the LORD, the priests sounded the trumpets, and the men gave a shout. As soon as they did this, God struck Jeroboam and his army so that 500,000 men were slain. Abijah took cities from Israel, and during Abijah’s short reign, God struck Jeroboam so that he died.

Abijah did not have the heart of his great-grandfather David. But in the time of battle he trusted in the LORD who saved him and all Judah.

We cannot overestimate the importance of trusting in the LORD with all our hearts. If we keep His commandments, then we have confidence that He is with us. If we earnestly cry out to Him, then He will save us.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15, NKJV)

We can apply this to any situation we are in. If Yahweh is our Father, then we need not fear men. We can face the enemy with strength and courage because the battle belongs to the LORD. But when God delivers us, we must glorify Him!