VL - Issue 34 - January 2020

STEPPING FORWARD
Change Your Course
BY KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
IT’S SO MUCH EASIER TO KEEP DOING
the same things we’ve always done than it
is to make the changes we know we need
to make. Maybe we consider the money
and time we’ve invested, or maybe we’re
overwhelmed with fear, guilt, worry, or
even pride as we imagine the potential repercussions
of making that change. “What
if” scenarios cloud our vision and keep us
pressing forward on that old path, even
though we know we shouldn’t take another
step in that direction.
There’s a story in 2 Chronicles 25:6–10
that teaches us about God’s faithfulness
during change. King Amaziah was setting
out to war against the Edomites. He
had strengthened his own army by hiring
100,000 mercenaries from Israel and
paying them 100 talents of silver for their
military expertise.
But as he readied his troops, a man of
God warned Amaziah that if he moved forward
with the men from Israel, he would
be defeated, because the Lord was not with
Israel. Even if Amaziah’s army went and
fought with all the courage they could muster,
they would still be defeated.
Amaziah asked the man of God, “But
what about all the money I paid for these
Israelite troops?”
The man of God replied, “The Lord can
give you much more than that.” And so, relying
on that promise, Amaziah dismissed
the mercenaries and sent them home.
For me, this would have been difficult. I
mean, these were trained men of war who,
humanly speaking, should have bettered
Amaziah’s chances of winning. And then
there’s that money! In today’s economy,
100 talents of silver would have been millions
of dollars. He’d already invested the
money; it couldn’t be recouped.
But the biggest hang-up for me would’ve
been the reaction of the people. I’d have
worried that the people I was sending
home—men fired up and ready for battle—
would be a bit perturbed with my decision.
Not to mention that my advisors would
think I’d lost my mind!
So how did Amaziah walk away from his
commitment and investment and obey
God without looking back? Easy. He trusted
the promise, “The Lord can give you
much more than that.”
That statement pretty much settled it for
the king. Would it have settled it for you?
I’ve already admitted it would have been
a hard pill for me to swallow.
This passage, and really the entire Bible,
teaches us that if we want victory, we must
obey God, even when it’s hard. We have
to be willing to let go, to cut loose, and to
move forward in a different direction when
the Lord instructs us to do so.
Over the past six years, God has directed
me to change my course. He’s asked me
to let go of things and people and plans.
Things I had invested large amounts of
time and money into. At times I resisted as
I counted the cost and worried about the
reactions and judgments of those around
me. Surely, I thought, if I just keep pressing forward
in faith with courageous perseverance, I’ll
be victorious. But I’ve learned, sometimes
the hard way, that true victory—like God’s
blessing—comes only through obedience.
(See Deuteronomy 28.)
I don’t know what God is leading you
to do or what changes He’s asking you to
make, but whatever it is, you can trust
Him. Lay aside your concerns about all
you’ve invested. God can give you more
than that. Don’t worry about other people’s
reactions or judgments. You can’t control
that. The Bible says those mercenaries
were furious and acted out their anger,
but that didn’t affect Amaziah’s victory!
It only affected theirs.
No matter the cost, remember: God’s got
your back. Your only responsibility is obedience;
God will take care of the rest. And
He will more than redeem all that is lost.
KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON encourages and
equips people for victory through her writings,
speaking engagements, and prison ministry. To
learn more, go to kojministries.org.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 01 / 2020
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