A Way Out of Trouble
Basilea Schlink teaches that through faith-filled prayer, believers can find a way out of trouble and experience God's victorious power even in seemingly impossible situations.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink explores how God uses trials to teach His people faith and dependence on Him. Drawing from the story of Israel's battle with the Amalekites, she highlights the power of prayer as the key to overcoming impossible odds. Schlink encourages believers to trust God fully and engage in persistent prayer, assuring them of God's victory in their lives.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today, but do our lives bear witness to this even when we are in trouble? For most of us, the opposite is probably true. We succumb to our problems and let them get the better of us. Listen to today's meditation by Basilea Schlink called A Way Out of Trouble.
In Deuteronomy chapter 25, we are told how the Israelites were severely tested on their journey through the wilderness. Weak and tired, some of the families had begun to lag behind. And that was when the Amalekites decided to pull a surprise attack.
None of the Israelites were equipped for battle. Their destiny seemed to be already decided. Israel would be lost.
Why did God lead them into such a distressing situation? God wanted His people to learn how to believe. His nation was to become a believing nation, one which would live in trust and total dependence upon the Almighty God. He wanted to let His care, His might, and wonders be manifest among His people.
By this dependent way of life, this nation was to proclaim to all the other nations who God is, testifying to His omnipotence and love. And so it was to bring blessing to the whole world. For this purpose, God was training and disciplining the children of Israel.
In the midst of their distress, God showed His people a way to deliverance. Moses climbed up on a hill from which he could survey the countryside. There he prayed until sundown.
And although it was humanly impossible, through prayer the Amalekites were defeated. Here the power of prayer was made manifest. Before the eyes of all the Israelites, God gave Moses this special weapon of victory.
It was the weapon of prayer, the prayer of faith. They experienced praying and crying to God transforms everything. Yes, prayer is the deciding factor in every hopeless situation.
The inconceivable happened. For the first time, the former slave nation fought a battle against another nation and won. Israel experienced anew.
God is our victor. The Lord is fighting for us. Surely joy and exaltation must have filled their hearts.
Who is like God? He has shown us His love and demonstrated His power. However, God had also shown them something else. He had shown them that He wants to be asked.
Prayer means to step into battle in the assurance that the greater the efforts of the enemy, the greater will be the victory for all those who call upon the name of the Lord. So I from day to day in love and trust will pray. And in my heart perceive one day I will receive all I believe.
You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet.
If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
-
I. The Testing of Israel
- Israelites faced attack while weak and tired
- God allowed distress to teach dependence
- Purpose was to build a believing nation
-
II. God's Purpose in Trials
- To manifest God's care and might
- To proclaim God's power to other nations
- To bring blessing through God's people
-
III. The Power of Prayer
- Moses prayed on the hill until sundown
- Prayer was the weapon of victory
- Prayer transforms hopeless situations
-
IV. The Outcome and Assurance
- Israel won against Amalekites by God's power
- God fights for His people
- Believers are called to pray in trust and love
Key Quotes
“Prayer is the deciding factor in every hopeless situation.” — Basilea Schlink
“God is our victor. The Lord is fighting for us.” — Basilea Schlink
“Prayer means to step into battle in the assurance that the greater the efforts of the enemy, the greater will be the victory for all those who call upon the name of the Lord.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Trust God in difficult situations by turning to prayer as your primary weapon.
- Develop a habit of persistent and faith-filled prayer to experience God's deliverance.
- Remember that God desires to be asked and will fight on behalf of those who call on Him.