by Shannon Tillman | Dec 11, 2025 | Blog, Thoughts
I would like to think that I would say “yes” to God. Yet, when I look at Scripture at some of the actions the Lord told His people to take, I may be more honest to say I would probably shrink back. I would not be bold enough. Honestly, I would just be embarrassed.
Joshua was asked to march his army around the city of Jericho. This is weird. I know the end of the story, the victory, but I would have felt awkward giving those instructions for a military campaign. Isaiah was asked to walk around naked as a sign to Israel’s future punishment for idol worship. That would have received a big “no way, Lord” from me. Ezekiel had to be tied down with ropes and lay on his side for months to picture the captivity of Israel. Not only that, he had to cook his food over animal poop! Hosea was called to marry a prostitute who would often be unfaithful and leave him for other men.
Then, we come to Mary. She was a young girl, pledged to be married. She received the request of heaven to bear the long-awaited Messiah. But to do this she would have the Spirit of God impregnate her. She would be tainted as “pregnant out of wedlock” all of her days. A reputation ruined while obeying God. Without hesitation, she said yes.
Why do we think our call to obedience is without cost today? Why do we think God is only asking us to do easy or comfortable things? He calls us to a strange obedience in this world, which only makes perfect sense in the heavenlies. We are told to leave our reputation behind as we follow the Lord’s guidance to sometimes humiliating situations. Would we rather say “yes” to our pride? Often, I do. I think of what others may say about me, or how their opinion of me might change, or even how I might be treated differently. But in that, I miss the victory of God.
Jericho fell and Joshua became a military legend. Isaiah received specific prophecies of the messiah hundreds of years before they took place and wrote Scripture that will be fulfilled in the future. Ezekiel saw the throne of God, the glory of God. Hosea gave a picture of forgiveness to any person or nation that wanders from the Lord and the redemption God brings to us.
And, of course, there is Mary. She birthed the Savior of the world.
It is time for us to say “yes” no matter how strange the request. For a strange obedience brings a miraculous response from God.
by Shannon Tillman | Dec 4, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog, Theology, Thoughts
I did not want to pray again. It felt ineffective. Years of prayer but no answers. The enemy taunted me.
“God will not answer your prayer. The promises in His Word are not for you. The words were taken out of context. You just want them to apply because you are so desperate in your situation.”
The lies kept coming. I felt weary. It had been so long. I think some of my friends tired of hearing the same prayer requests. Yet, a list of names in the Bible roused me to pray again. These names were of King David’s mighty warriors. One of these soldiers jumped off the page and encouraged me to stand firm.
2 Samuel 23:9
Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated…
The Israelite soldiers turned to run. They were being defeated by the enemy. Lives were on the line. The people of Israel would be impacted. However, one man stood between an invading army and the people of the land he loved.
2 Samuel 23:10a
…but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.
While the rest of the soldiers retreated, Eleazar stood his ground. He was not assured a victory; he could have been killed at any moment. However, he chose to keep fighting although his fellow soldiers left him and the enemy outnumbered him. As enemy after enemy came upon him, Eleazar struck each one down. The physical toll was evident; his hand fused to the sword. Despite the impact on his body, he would not give up.
There are times when we will stand alone. The people we thought would be with us during difficult times leave. We feel deserted as we face a spiritual enemy that is larger than us. We, too, can choose to flee, to take cover, to protect ourselves. We can decide to take the easier route, what everyone else is doing, and hide.
Or we can stand alone.
Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The enemy comes against us. We can pretend we are not in a spiritual battle, only to be destroyed. We can run from the spiritual battle, only to the harm of ourselves or others. We can talk about the battle amongst ourselves, how difficult it is, only to convince each other to stop fighting. Or we can stand. And in our stand, we must fight. We, like Eleazar, have a sword.
Ephesian 6:17a,c
Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Word of God is our weapon. The enemy will come with lies, deceit, doubt, manipulation, difficult circumstances, and anything else in his arsenal. We fight back with the Word of God. Each attack of the enemy is struck down. It takes time; it is hard work; it seems impossible. But we must hold onto the word until it has fused into us. And there we will stand victorious as the enemy lays defeated at our feet. The victory is not ours, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
2 Samuel 23:10b
The Lord brought about a great victory that day.
Eleazar knew a miracle had taken place that day. Because Eleazar stood, even stood alone against an army, victory was achieved. God does not need a crowd, but just one person willing to stand firm, willing to obey the King’s command to fight and to keep on fighting until the enemy is defeated.
Eleazar stood alone, but God’s victory belonged to everyone.
2 Samuel 23:10c
The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
The troops returned, not to help in the fight but to help with the plunder. Because Eleazar stood his ground, others benefited from the victory. You may be alone in the battle you face, but others will experience the benefits of victory because of you.
Do not stop fighting. Do not stop praying. Do not stop wielding the word of God in your circumstances. The enemy is relentless, but he will be defeated. Stand firm and soon we will see the victory of the Lord.
by Shannon Tillman | Nov 20, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
You are in a battle. The enemy wants to take you out. You are outnumbered, out resourced, out maneuvered. You are on the losing team and you know it. Lives will be lost. Enslavement is a real possibility. Families will be torn apart. Cities will be pillaged; women and children will be brutally harmed. What is your response? To sing a love song of course!
This is exactly what Jehosophat, the king of Judah, did when going into battle. First, let us look at the army that came against the nation of Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:1-2a
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea.
Two nations plus others are coming to attack Judah. Jehosophat knew the situation was impossible. He did the only thing he could do and that was to pray.
2 Chronicles 20:3-4
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
In the midst of their prayers, God gave them assurance of victory.
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
The next day, they would be facing a huge enemy army. Yet, God told them they would not have to fight, instead they were to believe in God’s deliverance. Jehosophat and his men went to the place the Lord told them to go.
2 Chronicles 20:20
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”
Jehosophat encouraged his men. Yet, that did not seem enough. He wanted them to hold onto faith. That is when he strategized his military position.
2 Chronicles 20:21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
Jehosophat decided that the best strategy for warfare was a love song to the Lord. While the enemy army was appointing men to fighting positions, Jehosophat appointed his men to sing. The enemy put their greatest warriors in the front of the line. Jehosophat put the greatest worshippers in front. The enemy had a sword. Judah had a song. In the natural, it seemed the enemy had a better plan. In the supernatural, Judah’s victory was at hand.
2 Chronicles 20:22-24
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.
A complete victory accomplished by the enemy to the enemy. A love song paved the way for God’s deliverance.
I do not know what you may be facing right now. However, I can tell you that I am in the midst of an impossible situation. The enemy has come against me on every side. I have prayed and cried out in fear of more loss, more trauma, more pain. God has given me promises of deliverance, restoration, hope. Despite this, I still have to look at the enemy seemingly gaining ground.
Today, I want to choose a different strategy, a love song to the Lord. I want to choose that today because I did not choose it yesterday. I sat in the middle of a worship service and cried. I cried in pain and even anger that the promises remain unanswered, that the enemy still taunts me, that the situations are unresolved, that the hurt runs even deeper during the holidays. Today is a new day. Today, I can choose the way of Jehosophat and choose worship.
Jehosophat told his men to worship the Lord for the splendor of His holiness. Because He is holy, He can be perfectly trusted. The Lord can never do us wrong. His ways, His timing are perfect. Today, I can trust His plan even though I do not understand.
Jehosophat not only had his men worship God’s holiness but to also proclaim:
2 Chronicles 20:21
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his love endures forever.”
These words echo the lines from Psalm 136. This Psalm declares the past acts of God, such as how He created the universe:
Psalm 136:1, 4-9
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever…
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
This Psalm also proclaims the power of God who struck down the enemy, delivered His people, and guided them in the direction they were called to go:
Psalm 136:10-16
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.
God also provided for His children in miraculous ways:
Psalm 136:21-26
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Jehosophat was calling his people to remember what God had done in the past, to believe Him for the future deliverance, and to stand and sing to the Lord during the present enemy attack. God not only gave victory, He abundantly blessed His people.
2 Chronicles 20:25-27
So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.
The valley of the enemy’s attack became the “Vally of Berakah”. The word “Berakah” means “blessing”. The place of pain, the place of loss, the place of fear, the place of devastation became the place God blessed.
Today, I will choose to stand and praise. I can look back on my life and praise His creative power, miracles, deliverance, and provision for me. Focusing on what He has done, will give me hope for what He will do. One day this enemy attack will become a blessing and I will testify to others with great joy.
2 Chronicles 20:27
Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
The enemy will be defeated. The Lord will be praised. Today.
by Shannon Tillman | Oct 30, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog
The president of a local neighborhood HOA told me that no one ever knocks on his door to say, “Hey, you are doing a good job.” Instead, he gets complaints about yards, or requests for interventions for children throwing rocks at dogs, or being told about neighborly disputes. The job is one negative message after another. Some good news would be a welcomed change.
There is one prophet in the Bible who wanted the opposite. He felt comfortable with the bad news but refused to share the good news with others. The prophet’s name was Jonah. God told him to go to Ninevah to declare judgment. After disobedience and a slight delay in the belly of a fish, Jonah arrived at his destination. He had one message:
Jonah 3:4
Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
It is surprising that in this wicked city Jonah was not killed. Even more astonishing is that the people of the city responded to the message.
Jonah 3:5
The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
Jonah’s words permeated the city and eventually reached the king.
Jonah 3:6-9
When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
An amazing time of repentance spreads throughout the region. God saw their humility and desire to change.
Jonah 3:10
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
The Lord chose not to bring judgment onto the city. The Ninevites had been saved! Unfortunately, they did not know this. Why? Because Jonah did not tell them the good news.
Jonah 4:1-2
But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
Jonah was mad. He talked to God, but he never told the people that the Lord had decided to not bring destruction on them. The Ninevites had no idea if their repentance had made a difference, if God had given them mercy, if they would live beyond the forty days. Why? Because Jonah would not share the good news.
I wonder if on day forty-one, they started to feel safer? Or maybe they were concerned their calculations were incorrect and gave the deadline a few extra days. We do not know. They lived unnecessarily in fear of the end when they could have known that mercy and life had been granted to them.
People around us fear death, or question if they could be accepted into heaven or not. Maybe they realize they have done wrong, but wonder if forgiveness is available to them. They do not understand the good news. The message of God’s mercy shown to us through the cross of Jesus has not been shared with them. They do not know because they have not heard, and like Jonah, we have not told them.
Romans 10:14
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Jonah was willing to give the bad news; he was willing to give his opinion on what he thought should happen. But Jonah kept the good news to himself, causing Ninevah to suffer needlessly in their wondering if God would have mercy on them or not. May we not be like Jonah, who refused to share the good news with others.
by Shannon Tillman | Oct 23, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog
My mom and I cried in a scene of a movie we watched recently. A father who had pushed his son to the limits pursuing his own dream finally realizes the damage he had done to their relationship. The father apologized to his son, and the son forgave his father. There is such power in confession that even a fiction movie can bring us to tears.
One of the Psalms that is completely focused on confession is Psalm 51. This Psalm was written after David was confronted by Nathan, a prophet, for his transgressions of adultery and murder. David penned his confession and repentance before God.
Psalm 51:1-2
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
David could have confessed in his own heart. Instead, he wrote his prayer for all to see. He wanted Israel and the world to know that he was repentant of all that he had done. He did not want to hide it any longer. David was willing to bring all the evil to light so that he could be restored to the Lord.
Psalm 51:9
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
David’s transparency before God does not stop in only asking for mercy but also continues by asking for help to transform his life.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Through the centuries, many believers have turned to this psalm to give words to their own confession and repentance. David’s willingness to finally acknowledge his sin paved the way for others to speak their need of mercy from God as well. In our honesty before the Lord and others, we create a place where others can witness repentance and give them courage to admit their sins and find the mercy of God so desperately needed by us all.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Confession to others is a spiritual principle. It calls us to accountability. It leads to true fellowship with God and others.
1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Hidden sin keeps us out of fellowship with God and others. Confession of sin not only restores us in relationship with the Lord but it actually deepens our relationship with others. It is the dark places in our lives that hinder fellowship. But when we acknowledge those dark places and choose to bring them into the light, we step into true community.
Too often, we ignore or pretend there is no sin in our lives. Sometimes, we fool others but often people know that more is going on behind the scenes. No matter, the Lord knows what is going on in those dark places of our hearts.
1 John 1:8-10
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
When we confess our sins, we are forgiven. When we hide our sins, we become deceived about who we are, we put lies on God, and we lose the working of the Word in our lives. The difficulty of facing the truth and confessing sin is better than facing the loss of relationship with not only God but our true selves which is lost to our deception.
David acknowledged his transgressions to not only be restored to the Lord and to transformed, but also to achieve an even greater purpose.
Psalm 51:13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
David was now choosing to share his sin, his past so that other lives could be changed. When we walk in the light, we can share the darkness of our past without shame. We can let others know that there is hope for their forgiveness and transformation as well. Lives are changed when we choose to confess and share God’s mercy in our live to those around us. The final point of forgiveness is not just for ourselves but for others to find freedom as well.
David’s sin and honesty before God has ministered to people for thousands of years. We all know that if a man after God’s own heart can fail and then find redemption then we, too, have hope for our lives as well. Transparency leads to transformation in ourselves and others.
