(1 Chronicles 5:18-20 ESV)

It says that [18] The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had valiant men who carried shield and sword, and drew the bow, expert in war, 44,760, able to go to war… [20] And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him.

In our lives we will always have spiritual battles to fight and we should strive to become “experts in war”. We should know our strengths and our weaknesses. We should become skilled in wielding many weapons of faith, character, and aptitude. In doing so we will be valiant warriors equipped for battle and competent in leadership.

But for all the training, all the weapons, all the valiant behavior, and all the courage on the battlefield, the war we wage is in vain without God’s intervention.

Planning and organizing is essential. Prayerful organizing is even more vital. But it is encouraging to know that the Almighty is also God of the uncalculated, the unplanned, and the unforeseen. He can be trusted with the urgent pleas as well as the premeditated pleas.

God can be trusted. And He should be trusted.