ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
If God Be for Us
KEY VERSE
“And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper” (2 Chronicles 13:12).
Bible Reading:
2 Chronicles 13:1-12 (KJV)
1 Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
3 And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
4 And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
7 And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.
8 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.
9 Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
10 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:
11 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to light every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
12 And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
MESSAGE
James McGranahan’s hymn, If God Be for Us, always comes in handy when we are pitted against formidable adversaries in life. The song, which derives from the rhetorical question raised in Romans 8:31, reminds us that if God is with us, we do not need to worry because no opposition can successfully overcome us. In any battle, if God fights on your side, your weaknesses and deficiencies don’t count. God loses no battles.
Abijah, king of Judah, in our text, armed himself with this consciousness when he went out against the army of Israel under Jeroboam with an army of four hundred thousand soldiers as against Israel’s eight hundred thousand soldiers. Although he was not altogether balanced in his assertions about Jeroboam’s coming to power in Israel, he nonetheless capitalised on the backsliding and idolatry of Jeroboam and Israel in his address. He talked proudly about Judah’s pure worship and faithfulness to the Mosaic Law. This way, he identified with the Almighty God and emphatically appealed to his opponents thus: “O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper” (2 Chronicles 13:12).
The outcome of the war was a clear victory for Abijah despite Jeroboam’s superior army and tactics. The presence of God with us should afford us comfort, courage, and rest, as well as terrify our enemies. If we have made Jehovah the Captain of our host, there is no need to live in fear. With Him on our side, we can pass through waters and fire and come out unscathed; surmount the most difficult challenge and fight every battle with confidence.
Truly, if God is on your side, you have the greatest possible advantage. His power and love far exceed whatever force any potential opposition can muster against you. As you step out today into a world full of uncertainties, have you made the Lord your own Captain? Are you at peace with God? If not, why not humbly go to Him in penitent prayer and by faith accept His provision of salvation and restoration through Jesus Christ, His Son?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God’s presence with us is a powerful quit notice to our enemies
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
1 John 1-5
COMMENTARY
1. The Disadvantage of Numbers – Abijah’s army of 400,000 faced Jeroboam’s 800,000. Humanly speaking, the odds were against Judah. Yet, Abijah was confident because God was on his side. Numbers do not determine victory; God does. When God is with us, our disadvantages become irrelevant.
2. The Foundation of Confidence – Abijah’s confidence was not in his military strength but in his relationship with God. He reminded Israel that Judah had remained faithful to the LORD while Jeroboam had led Israel into idolatry. Our confidence in battle must be rooted in our obedience to God, not in our resources.
3. God as Our Captain – The key verse declares, “God himself is with us for our captain.” When God leads, victory is certain. We do not need to fear the enemy’s size, tactics, or threats. God’s presence terrifies the enemy and assures us of triumph.
4. The Call to Make God Our Captain – The devotional asks, “Have you made the Lord your own Captain? Are you at peace with God?” The most important battle we face is the battle for our souls. We must make peace with God through Jesus Christ and allow Him to lead us in every area of life.
5. The DCLM Ministry’s Call to Faith – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry emphasizes that believers must trust God in every battle. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that with God on our side, we cannot be defeated. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to make God their Captain and to face life’s challenges with confidence.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and trust in God’s power.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to trust God and to make Him their Captain.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, I make You my Captain today. Forgive me for the times I have relied on my own strength. Help me to trust You in every battle I face. With You on my side, I have nothing to fear. Give me courage, comfort, and rest, knowing that You fight for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
