1 Maccabees -- The Underdog in the Fight

Today's Reading -- 1 Maccabees 3 and 4
Devotion -- 1 Maccabees 3:17-23
17 But when they saw the army coming against them, they said to Judas: "How can we, few as we are, fight such a mighty host as this? Besides, we are weak today from fasting."
18 But Judas said: "It is easy for many to be overcome by a few; in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between deliverance by many or by few; 19 for victory in war does not depend upon the size of the army, but on strength that comes from Heaven. 20 With great presumption and lawlessness they come against us to destroy us and our wives and children and to despoil us; 21 but we are fighting for our lives and our laws. 22 He himself will crush them before us; so do not be afraid of them." 23 When he finished speaking, he rushed suddenly upon Seron and his army, who were crushed before him. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible

At the end of yesterday's reading, Matthias, leader of the Jewish rebellion against the evil politics reigning in Israel, died and named his son, Judas (also called Maccabee), as the new leader of the Jewish army. He and his many brothers took on the challenge of war 'joyfully'.

At this point they have successfully killed many of the Samaritans who had attacked them, and now they are facing an immense army of Syrians, led by Seron. Their small band of men was dwarfed by the giant army of Syria and needless to say most were terrified of the fight they were facing.

As in the past, the leaders faith was greater than that of the followers. Judas knew that God was on his side and that they would prevail despite the way the situation looked.

The challenges we face usually aren't as drastic as death by mutilation, as these men faced. But in the midst of our daily lives, the difficulties that come at us seem just as scary. It doesn't take long for our imaginations to turn life challenges into giant armies waiting to attack. We find an unusual lump on our bodies and all of a sudden we are imagining how well we'd handle chemotherapy and hair loss. We lose a job and our minds immediately show us a stark picture of life in a homeless shelter. We fall once again into that sin we try so hard to avoid, and we can't comprehend how God would be willing to forgive us one more time.

Life can turn on us in a moment, and sometimes the worst things we can imagine actually come to pass. But if we face them alone we will be more terrified and less able to cope. Like Judas Maccabee, we must remember that God is on our side -- regardless of whether we win or lose the battle, He is in control. While that doesn't always make the battle easier to understand or to fight, there is peace in knowing that God will win in the end.

God helped the Israelites to victory in their battle, but they still had to go through the fight. As often as we wish he would just wipe our foes, our troubles, off the face of the earth, that isn't how he works. If you are in a difficult situation, turn to others who will join in your fight. If you aren't able to see God in the situation, find someone who can show him to you and who will take on the role of the faithful leader. If we stand firm in him and stay strong in our faith, he will help us to be victorious, too.