READ: 2 Chronicles 19, 20;
Psalms 9; Acts 8: 14-40
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 20: 12
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army
that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
OBSERVATION: Jehoshaphat had a near-death experience in the previous
battle, but the Lord saved him ( 2 Chro.18:31). Here we see another instance of
a vast army coming against to fight with a small army. Although the chronicler
does not indicate the numbers of the army, Jehoshaphat’s panic and his urgent
prayer suggest that it was more powerful than the strength of Jehoshaphat’s
army. He must have worried as these enemies had arrived at a place near Jerusalem.
As a king, he must do something by gathering his armies and planning a strategy
to tackle this emergency. However, as a
theocratic king, Jehoshaphat announced a fast in his country; the people of
Judah and Jehoshaphat “came together to seek help from the Lord.” In his
prayer, he recalled God’s promise and openly acknowledged his inability to face
the powerful enemies who were coming against him. He finished his prayer, not
with a weak admission but with an expression of hope in God—“We do not know what
to do, but our eyes are on you.”
God answers such
prayers when we place complete confidence in God. The Lord immediately comforted
them not to fear and said, “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Although
the Lord told them that He would fight for them, they needed to go to the
battleground (2 Chron.20:17). The next day morning, Jehoshaphat encouraged the
people to have faith in the Lord and appointed men to go before his army and
sing, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” When an army
marches to a battle, a group of singers heads the entire army with their songs praising
God is something unthinkable. However, “as they began to sing and praise”
God, an unexpected massacre had started.
In confusion (Judges 7:22), the enemies killed each other; none of them escaped
(v.22,23). After four days, Jehoshaphat and his
people gathered at the Valley of Berakah-
a valley of praise and blessing. When we face unexpected situations that make
us think, “we do not know what
to do,” we need to keep our eyes on God. When we confess our inabilities and
weaknesses to God to face the mountain-like problems we see in our daily lives,
he gives us the strength to overcome them. We can trust God always; he fills
our life with songs of praise.
APPLICATION: God fights for me when I face powerful enemies or difficult
situations that I cannot handle. When I do not know what to do, I should seek
God’s help and set my eyes on him. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of
heaven and earth.” God’s way of dealing with my crises is unfathomable and
inexplicable. All I can do is praising God by saying, “His love endures forever.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for reminding me to seek your help and to
praise you. Lord, help me set my eyes on you and trust you always. Lord God,
you are my hope. Your love endures forever. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day – 191
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