Fast forward…as the focus turns from self to God <3
To catch you up to speed: I started a little series for the week based on 2 Chronicles 20. (we started Monday this week if you want to go back and read those first, we will wait for you…)
This is a well-marked and often visited set of pages in my Bible over the years as it describes those times when we don’t just have one thing coming against, but we have many things coming from all directions.
Attacks on all borders and we are greatly outnumbered.
Jehoshaphat was King of Judah and received news of a huge multitude of armies coming against his land.
We are told he realized the serious situation and feared greatly, but he set himself to seek the Lord and called for all the people from every city to come together in fasting and prayer to seek God’s help.
The next thing he did is interesting.
As everyone was gathered in the Temple and with desperate cries to God; Jehoshaphat led them in prayer.
His words are recorded in verses 5-13 but here is the summary of the declarations he made:
<3 Who God is…the God of their history and past generations, ruler over heaven and all the kingdoms of earth, the One who holds all power and all might in His own hands
<3 What God had done already…drove out the inhabitants of the land and given that particular place of real estate to His people, Israel – the descendants of Abraham, made them a nation with a place of worship specifically dedicated to Him alone
<3 What God had promised…that if at any time trouble of war or famine or pestilence should come on them, if they gathered in that place and called out to Him, He would hear them and He would save them
<3 What the enemy was doing…tattled on them, he did. Jehoshaphat straight up called out the enemy’s activities in detail to God and pointed out why what they were doing was NOT God’s plan for Israel.
<3 What they needed…King Jehoshaphat…the King of Judah…the man with all the resources of the kingdom at his disposal….stood humbly before the LORD his God…and this precious so don’t ever miss this…not only did the King stand there before Him but “all Judah, with their little ones, their wives and their children, stood before the LORD” v. 13.
<3 What they declared about themselves….And they all…the whole huge crowd of royals and commoners and peasants and business owners…holding their little babies and huddled with their youth beside them… they admitted…we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us. We have no idea what we should do. But our eyes are upon You.
Not….here’s our battle plan. Lord, bless it.
Not…we are pulling all the smartest people out and reviewing battle strategies and taking inventory of our weaponry.
Not…call out for any able bodies and lets get them suited up in army and gather horses and sharpen our swords.
No.
They gathered together as families and stood before the Lord and lifted empty trusting hands and faith-filled eyes to the One who had made promises.
Jesus made us some promises.
He promised in this world we would have trouble…but to take heart…because He has overcome it.
He promised He would never leave us nor forsake us.
He promised His Spirit to dwell in us and guide us and teach us and correct us.
He promised He was going away but that He would come back.
He is faithful.
In the midst of overwhelming circumstances today, would you humble your heart?
Would you gather those you love dearly, even if it is only in your prayer closet, and stand before the Lord with honesty about situations and then would you acknowledge your need for Him to show up and would you keep your eyes firmly fixed on Him today?
God bless you dear ones. The trials and struggles of this life are real and they are a multitude.
But…..
HE. HAS. OVERCOME. <3
Yes, I will stand before the Lord with honesty today, and I will acknowledge my need for Him to show up and I will keep my eyes firmly fixed on Him!
Praise God that He has made Himself available to us and longs for us to put our trust in Him. He is a good good Father.
Amen Susan! And what a blessing it is to know that even on opposite sides of town or even the world, when believers all come humbly before the Throne, He sees us as one unified assembly. Our prayers rise from all corners of this globe and we know He breathes them in and acts in response to those prayers. Jesus perfecting every one of our pleas as He leans into the Father and the Spirit sending out the comfort and guidance and conviction this hurting world so desperately needs <3 Hallelujah!