3.2 In Their Difficulties, They Relied On God

(2 Chronicles 14:7-13a)

He told the people of Judah, “Let us fortify the cities by building wall and towers, and gates that can be shut and barred. We have control of the land because we have done the will of the Lord our God.. He has protected us and given us security on every side.” And so they built and prospered. King Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah, armed with shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin, armed with shields and bows. All of them were brave, well-trained men.

A Sudanese named Zerah invaded Judah with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots and advanced as far as Mareshah. Asa went out to fight him, and both sides took up their positions at Zephathah Valley near Mareshah. Asa prayed to the Lord his God, “O Lord, you can help a weak army as easily as a powerful one. Help us now, O Lord our God, because we are relying on you, and in your name we have come out to fight against this huge army. Lord, you are our God; no one can hope to defeat you.”

The Lord defeated the Sudanese army when Asa and the Judean army attacked them. They fled, and Asa and his troops pursued them as far as Gerar.

3.1 Although Punished For Our Sins, We Can Turn To God

(Lamentations 5:1-21)

Remember, O Lord, what has happened to us. Look at us, and see our disgrace.

Our property is in the hands of strangers; foreigners are living in our homes.

Our fathers have been killed by the enemy, and now our mothers are widows.

We must pay for the water we drink; we must buy the wood we need to fuel.

Driven hard like donkeys or camels, we are tired, but are allowed to rest.

To get food enough to stay alive, we went to Egypt and Assyria.

Our ancestors sinned, but now they are gone, and we are suffering for their sins.

We are ruled by men who are no better than slaves, and no one can save us from their power.

Murderers roam through the countryside; we risk our lies when we look for food.

Hunger has made us burn with fever until our skin is as hot as an oven.

Our wives have been raped on Mount Zion itself; in every Judean village our daughters have been forced to submit.

Our leaders have been taken and hanged; our old men are shown no respect.

Our young men are forced to grind grain like slaves; boys go staggering under heavy loads of wood.

The old people no longer sit at the city gate, and the young people no longer make music.

Happiness has gone out of our lives; grief has taken the place of our dances.

Nothing is left of all we were proud of. We sinned, and now we are doomed.

We are sick at our very hearts and can hardly see through our tears, because Mount Zion lies lonely and deserted, and wild jackals prowl through its ruins.

But you, O Lord, are king forever and will rule to the end of time.

Why have you abandoned us so long? Will you ever remember us again?

Bring us back to you, Lord! Brings us back! Restore our ancient glory.

2.4 Prayer in Time of Distress and Thanksgiving

(Psalm 31:1-19)

I come to you, Lord, for protection; never let me be defeated.
You are a righteous God; save me I pray!
Hear me! Save me now!
Be my refuge to protect me; my defense to save me.
You are my refuge and defense;
guide me and lead me as you have promised.
Keep me safe from the trap that has been set for me;
Shelter me from danger.
I place myself in your care.
You will save me Lord;
You are a faithful God.

You hate those who worship false gods, but I trust in you.
I will be glad and rejoice because of your constant love.
You see my suffering; you know my trouble.
You have not let my enemies capture me; you have given me freedom to go where I wish.

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in trouble;
My eyes are tires from so much crying;
I am completely worn out.
I am exhausted by sorrow, and weeping has shortened my life.
I am weak from all my troubles; even my bones are wasting away.

All my enemies, and especially my neighbors, treat me with contempt;
Those who know me are afraid of me; when they see me in the street, they run away.
Everyone has forgotten me, as though I were dead;
I am like something thrown away.
I hear many enemies whispering: terror is all around me.

But my trust is in you, O Lord; you are my God.
I am always in your care;
Save me from my enemies, from those who persecute me.

How wonderful are the good things you keep for those who honor you!
Everyone knows how good you are, how securely you protect those who trust you.

2.3 We Share In Suffering And In Consolation

(2 Corintians 1:3-11)

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. Just as we have a share in God’s great help. If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure. So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.

We want to remind you, brothers, of the trouble we had in the province of Asia. The burdens laid upon us were so great and so heavy that we gave up all hope of staying alive. We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead. From such terrible dangers of death He saved us, and will save us; and we have placed our hope in Him that He will save us again, as you help us by means of your prayers for us. So it will be that the many prayers for us will be answered, and God will bless us; and many will raise their voices to him in thanksgiving for us.

2.2 God Saves The One Who Trusts In Him During Time of Suffering

(Jeremiah 39:15-18)

While I was still imprisoned in the palace courtyard, the Lord told me to tell Ebedmelech the Sudanese that the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, had said” “Just as I said, I would, I am going to bring upon this city destruction and not prosperity. An when this happens, you will be there to see it. But I. the Lord, will protect you, and you will not be handed over to the men you are afraid of. I will keep you safe, and you will not put to death. You will escape will your life because you have put your trust in me. I, the Lord have spoken.”