What a wonderful scripture I found during my time with God today. I am in the book of 2 Chronicles and enjoying reading the Bible chronologically. During one of the battles when the Eastern Enemies came against God’s people, Jehoshaphat was king of Judah. He was a king who did good.
The enemies’ army was a “vast multitude” and scripture says that Jehoshaphat was afraid. I would say that is a normal emotion at a time like that. What do you think he did in his fear? This is what 2 Chronicles 20:3 says that he did. “Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he resolved to seek the Lord. What a novel idea!
I thought about his response and then began to look at situations in my life that make me fearful at times. I questioned my responses to many of them and I’m sad to say that there were times that seeking the Lord was not my first choice. Some of my choices were to panic, fix it, stick my head in the sand, etc. I will say that those choices did work in some situations but I never had peace in them. Why do we struggle so with allowing God to be our Guide, Counselor, Protector and Victor? Is it a trust issue? Do we believe God can, but maybe He’s too slow or needs help from us to tell Him how to do it? Or, could it be that we don’t like how He has goes about His work? I’m sure all of those have probably come into your mind at times too.
I was encouraged with Jehoshaphat’s prayer and I hope you will be too. He says, “We are powerless before this vast multitude that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.” 2 Chronicles 20:12. The last phrase is vital. We must admit that we don’t know, but we know Who does and we're seeking God. What army is pressing in on you? Wherever and whatever battle you find yourself in, look to the Lord.
Becky