“And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and He was entreated by them, because they put their trust in Him.” (1st Chronicles 5:20)
During devotion this morning I was actually doing a “word study” on the word ‘help’. I was basically interested in seeing how the word was used in scripture as it relates to God helping His people, and in the ways in which he provided that help.
As I searched the word out, I came across the particular verse written above and thought about what it states.
In a nutshell: the sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh went into battle with the Hagarites; and although their men were skilled, valiant, and able, they were wise enough to inquire of the Lord’s help and not trust in their own strength and ability. As a result, the Lord was entreated of them and delivered their enemies into their hand; because they ‘trusted’ in Him. 
Lesson: Trust in the Lord and you will be helped.
That’s it, bible study over. Thank you Lord…. 🙂
But, something prompted me to read a little further; and as I did so, I found that God had more to say about these very people who “Trusted In Him” in the time of battle.
Verse 25 says, “And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, Whom God (not them) destroyed before them.”; and as a result of their idolatry God stirred up the spirit of the King of Assyria and he came and took them captive (read the next verse).
After reading that, I began to think “How could they allow something like this to happen after having such a great victory and powerful testimony of God’s hand moving mightily on their behalf?” “How could they be so stupid?” (as one commentator put it). “How could they trust God one moment and then turn to other gods the next?”
There are a vast number of answers that can be given to the questions above; but if I had to give one thought for what I believe was at the root of their turning, I would say “the lack of continued trust”.
The scripture says, “Trust in Him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalms 62:8).
He gives us an invitation and charge to trust at all times, and pour out our hearts (our cares, our fears, and our worries and problems) to Him and He will be a refuge for us. That’s not always an easy thing, because our flesh will fight it, and this world will continue to present challenges to oppose it. 
But if we dare to trust God, continually, in spite of all that we face, the fruit and result of that trust (His presence, power, peace, and protection) will always be evident in our lives.

Lord, help us to trust you at all times and not turn away to idols.

May the Lord bless you, keep you, and make his face shine continually upon you.
Pastor Lowe