If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
Then how can you contend with horses?
And if in the land of peace,
In which you trusted, they wearied you,
Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?

In the first verse of this chapter, the prophet Jeremiah prays to God and asks, “Righteous are You, O Lord…Why does the way of the wicked prosper?”

The prophet is unable to understand how the wicked and treacherous seem to prosper and be fruitful. This often crosses our mind as well: people who don’t pray, worship, tithe or serve God seem to be prosperous. Why does it always seem like others are having a good time or being blessed abundantly, and you are not?

In the fifth verse God gives the prophet an answer: Your struggles are only “footmen- problems”. They’re not as big or strong as they seem. God has trained and raised you up to deal with bigger things: to contend with running horses.

If a man fights a person on horse-back, he is bound to lose because the man on the horse has a position of strength. But the Lord says even if your position is of disadvantage, you will have victory. You will be more than a conqueror who can bring down horses, because the Lord is with you.

God has got great expectations about you. He is going to do through you things you thought impossible. But how do you contend with horses and win?

1. Don’t compare yourself with anyone. Look to the Lord
Don’t be bitter and upset looking at someone else’s life, work or ministry. God will raise you up in due time. The key to this is “praise power”. Praise is the entry point into God’s will in your life. You need to enter into his gates with thanksgiving and praise.

When should you start praising?

In the Book of Ezra, the temple which had been destroyed by the King of Babylon, is about to be rebuilt. We find that the children of Israel worshipped God – not after the work was over – but right at the beginning when the foundation was laid

When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel.

Some are ready to praise God after the miracle is done. But if you’re willing to do so right at the beginning, in the midst of uncertainty, you will see the hand of the Lord come upon you and give you complete victory. In other words, praise yourself into your miracle.

While the children of Israel were trying to rebuild the temple and get their lives back on track, they had to confront adversaries (Ez 4.1), frustration and accusations (v5, 6). But amidst their discouragement and trouble, they praised the Lord.

No matter what your battle or adversaries, thank Him in advance for your miracle and worship His name. Jesus, before He raised Lazarus from the dead, said “Father I thank you.” (John 11.41) There is power in praise, to revive your dead dreams and hopes and to fulfill them.

If you find yourself complaining more than you praise God, correct it. Praise should become a lifestyle: when you are confident of God’s word, magnify him until your problems diminish in size.

It is said that there are two kinds of tents: content & discontent! In which tent do you choose to be? If you have a ‘when-and-then’ kind of thinking – ‘when I see my miracle, then I will praise God’ – you will always be discontent. Even when you see nothing, glorify Jesus and God will make everything possible.

2. Don’t underestimate prophetic power

So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.

While the temple was still in ruins, the prophets prophesied over it. Sometime servants of God will prophesy over you, sometimes you have to pray in the spirit and prophesy on yourself from God’s word.

For things that could take many years in the natural, the prophetic word of God can work a miracle in your circumstances. When Ezekial prophesied over the dry bones, they came to life.

Never discount the power of prophecy and prophetic utterances. The Bible is not a dead book, it is the living Word. It can transform you, and bring about great miracles: there is nothing beyond the power of God’s Word. Let the word of God effectually work within you.

May you be filled with God’s wisdom, may you prosper in the land, may God use you mightily for his kingdom. May your latter days be more glorious than your former days. May you find fulfillment in the glory of the name of Jesus Christ and be His servants for the entirety of your life. Make he make your dreams come true. Let the prophecies of God work forth in your bones, in your spirit. May the anointing of prophecy fall over you. Let there be prophetic utterances through your spirit. Let people look at your life and prophecy, and the glory of God be manifested through your being. You will be the head and not the tail; there will be more joy in your life than sadness; you will be more than a conqueror through Jesus our Lord

When the temple was still in ruins, the prophet looked at it and said ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2.9)

If your life is in ruins, and you feel the enemy has defeated you, remember this prophecy over you: the glory of God over your life shall be greater than before, and you will accomplish more things for Jesus than ever done before.

Do not despise the day of small beginnings, said Zecharia the prophet, for it is not by might nor by power, but by My spirit says the Lord. (Zech 4.6-10)

God has called you to contend with horses and to deal with the swelling Jordan. When the odds are against you and there is adversity and trouble, decide that you are going to cross over the flooded Jordan and take that which God has kept for you. God has seen you as someone who will contend with horses: race with horses and win.