No Way Out?

Have you ever found yourself backed against a wall with no way out? The enemy is attacking from all sides—you have been beaten and battered—the fear of the next onslaught is ever-present in your mind—you find yourself ready to just give up on everything?

As fear constantly grips your heart and mind, surrender appears to be your only way out of the stress and pressure the situation has created in your life. Surrender is never an out for a child of GOD! Surrender is not even an option when the enemy attacks and fear begins to grip your heart.

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, found himself in a situation with no way out. His father had just committed a sin against GOD and GOD had removed the throne from his family. Jonathan confronted an enemy army that was huge and well-armed. They had been a destructive menace to the Israelites for a long time. Now, it appeared that they would destroy Israel.

But, Jonathan understood that surrender was not an option. He took his armor-bearer and advanced toward the enemy camp. As they were going, he declared: “Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6 HCSB). His armor-bearer, having seen GOD work miracles in time’s past, responded: “Do what is in your heart. You choose. I’m right here with you whatever you decide” (v. 7).

Greatly outnumbered, Jonathan moved ahead, trusting GOD for the outcome. In the face of fear, Jonathan looked to GOD. Undaunted by the overwhelming odds that stood against him, Jonathan continued advancing forward. The enemy taunted him: “Come on up, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” (v. 12). At which Jonathan turned to his armor-bearer and proclaimed: “the Lord has handed them over to Israel” (v. 12).

By faith, Jonathan saw victory! By faith, he moved out when there appeared to be no way out. The Scripture tells us that after several successive victories in Jonathan’s favor that: “Terror spread through the Philistine camp and the open fields to all the troops. Even the garrison and the raiding parties were terrified. The earth shook, and terror from God spread” (v. 15). “The Lord saved Israel that day” (v. 23).

Has the enemy overwhelmed you with fear? Your life seems to be hanging in the balance with defeat inevitable? It’s time to let go and let GOD take control. It’s time to hand it over to Him and stand back and allow Him to place the victory in your hands. GOD is not a GOD of defeat—He is a GOD of victory!

Today, stare down those problems that have been mounting against you. By faith, declare the LORD has already handed the victory over to you. Health issues? Financial issues? Marriage problems? Family problems? Job problems? It doesn’t matter how big the problem might appear to you—look to your GOD who is bigger than all the problems you could ever have.

Turn to GOD, trust Him today, hand your fear and difficulties over to Him today and rest in His assurance of your absolute victory!

Scripture Reading: “My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being. Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God, be exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be over the whole earth. Save with Your right hand and answer me so that those You love may be rescued. God has spoken in His sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is My helmet; Judah is My scepter. Moab is My washbasin; on Edom I throw My sandal. Over Philistia I shout in triumph.” Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have You not rejected us, God? God, You do not march out with our armies. Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes” (Psalm 108 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, as I step out today, help me to recognize that the fears that held me back yesterday have been destroyed. Where there appears to be no way out, Father, you have made a way out for me. Where the enemy seems to have me pinned down, You have set me free. I claim Your promises of victory today. I declare Your victory over every fear, every mountain, everything the enemy has placed in my path. Today, I rest peacefully sheltered in Your arms of protection. I love You and give You all my praise…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!