Tag Archives: surrounded

April 20, 2026 · 5:48 AM

God Hears

There have been so many times in my life when I’ve called out to God in desperation. Most of the time, I don’t wonder if God hears my prayers, but when I’m in immediate need, that question pops up. It tries to create doubt in my mind or tell me that He hears everyone else’s prayers but mine. It’s in those moments that I have to remind myself that God hears the desperate cries of my heart, my inner doubts and my silent tears. He’s not up there looking for a reason to disqualify me or to find a reason not to answer my prayers. Instead, He bends down low to listen, to comfort and to assure me that I’m His child and He’s in control no matter how badly things look.

In 2 Kings 19, Jerusalem was under siege by the most powerful army on earth. Things were getting desperate. The army began to tell the people what they were going to do, that resistance was futile and that God wasn’t going to save them. King Hezekiah went to the Temple to pray. He laid everything out before God, including reading a letter from the other king. He asked God to rescue them. Verse 19 says, “Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer about King Sennacherib of Assyria.’” God heard his prayer. God saw his heart. Then God answers that night by fighting for him and the people of Jerusalem.

Psalm 18:6 says, “In my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.” It’s good to call out to God in your distress. God hears our prayers when there seems to be no way out. There’s story after story in the Bible of Him answering desperate prayers. If you were to ask around, there are countless stories of people you know that have called out to Him in their moment of crisis and God heard their cry. He’s a good father who is willing and able to rescue us from any situation. He’s specializes in ones where we can’t see a way out. We just have to trust Him enough to call out to Him in prayer. He’s not far away. He’s standing there beside you in those moments. God hears you.

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Surrounded

Michael W. Smith wrote a simple, but powerful song. It’s lyrics only contain two sentences, but they speak volumes. The song says, “This is how I fight my battles. It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by you.” To me, it’s a great reminder in those moments when I’m overwhelmed, feel alone in the battle and it looks like I’m about to get crushed. When you’re staring down odds that are stacked against you and it feels easier to give up rather than to keep fighting, this song reminds me who I’m really surrounded by. It reminds me that if God is for me, who can be against me.

After the Israelites left Egypt, God decided to set a trap for Pharaoh. He had them turn back and camp at a place that had them appear lost. When Pharaoh took the bait and pursued them, they were trapped against the Red Sea with no where to go. Pharaoh’s army surrounded them and they were afraid. They forgot who they were really surrounded by. In Exodus 14:15, Moses said, “Don’t be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today” (GNT). The Lord split the Red Sea In two and destroyed Pharaoh’s army.

You may feel all alone and trapped by your situation today, but I believe the Lord is telling us to stand our ground. The Amplified Bible describes standing your ground as, “Be Firm, confident and undismayed.” Take your eyes off of the things you feel surrounded by and look at God. He’s greater than anything you’re facing and is surrounding you now. Rest in His presence and stand your ground. Your victory isn’t dependent on you. It’s God who fights our battles, but we must stand firm with the Armor of God found in Ephesians 6. Don’t forget it may feel like you’re surrounded, but you’re surrounded by God.

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February 7, 2018 · 5:57 AM

Surrounded

At church, we’ve been singing Michael W. Smith’s song “This is How I Fight My Battles”. It’s a simple song, but it’s powerful. One of the lines says, “It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by you.” As we sing that song, it reminds me of when Elisha’s servant walked outside one morning and saw they were surrounded by an army. He called for Elisha who came outside and said, “Don’t worry about it. There’s more with us than there are with them. Lord, open his eyes to see.” (2 Kings 6:17)

I also think of times in my life where I’ve been surrounded by turmoil, heartbreak and relentless attacks. Even when that period seemed like it would never end, God would surround me with people who would pray for me, encourage me and help me to stay in the battle. When all seemed lost, God never left me. He surrounded me with His presence and His people when the enemy had surrounded me and tried to take me out.

As you read through the Psalms, David felt that way too. He was chased and trapped in caves by King Saul and the army of Israel at times. Other times it was foreign armies hunting him down trying to take him out. He even writes of family and friends who talk behind his back and want to destroy him. Through it all, he cried out to God because he understood that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord lifts up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). God surrounds us in our greatest moments of despair.

Psalm 31:21 says, “Praise the Lord! How wonderfully he showed his love for me when I was surrounded and attacked!” (GNT) It’s not time to give up when you are surrounded- it’s time to look up! There are more with you than there are against you. God shows a His great love for us in the moments where we need it most. We have to learn to take our eyes off of the enemy that is surrounding us and look to God who is surrounding them. You are not alone in your fight. You are surrounded by the Lord Of Hosts and the armies of Heaven.

Photo by James Pond on Unsplash

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