The Bible is filled with action and adventure that confirms Jeremiah 32:17.
Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.
When we set aside time to watch a movie, we prefer action/adventure movies. This is one of the reasons we love the Old Testament. The action and adventure in the Bible are better than anything we could see at the movies.
In 2 Chronicles 20, the king of Judah, King Jehoshaphat, calls for the people to trust in the Lord, sing praises, and give thanks to almighty God as their enemies come against them. That catches our attention because praising and thanking God are responses we can apply as our enemies come against us also. Spoiler alert! Here’s how it ended:
2 Chronicles 20:20-22
They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.
Did you catch that? The people were singing and praising and the enemies were routed. Like the people of Judah, our response is to expect and hope in God. There is no limit to God’s strength and authority. The best battle plan of all—praise God and expect His faithfulness.
Another Old Testament passage that renews our expectations and faith in God is found in Habakkuk as God replies to the prophet’s questions about the circumstances around him.
Habakkuk 1:5
Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days—you would not believe if you were told.
This is our God. He is astonishing, wonderful and beyond all we can comprehend.
One of our favorite things about action/adventure movies is that the good guys win in the end. God’s word tells us that He leads us to triumph in Christ. Only as we follow our Leader are we guaranteed victory.
2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
The words “sweet aroma” in that verse were unexpected. Not only do we get to win, but we smell good too. We impact our environment as Christ-followers. Aromas permeate and saturate the surrounding area. Imagine a smell that brings a smile to your face. Here’s an example:
We walked into our house and the wonderful aroma of lasagna immediately captured our attention. The smells were followed quickly by delightful anticipation of enjoying the food creating such wonderful smells.
This is how our relationship with Jesus should impact others—inspiring them to desire Him.
Not only do we win as we follow Christ but we give off a sweet smell of Him every place we go. Remember, this is a result of following our leader—Jesus Christ. Sweeet!