Here's today's devotion. Today's scripture reading begins in verse 1 of 2nd chronicles chapter 20..
Judah Invaded
20 Now it came about after this, that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the [a]Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Aram; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid and [c]turned his attention to seek the Lord; and he proclaimed a period of fasting throughout Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord.
Jehoshaphat’s Prayer
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord in front of the new courtyard; 6 and he said, “Lord, God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. 7 Did You not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land from Your people Israel, and give it to the descendants of Your friend Abraham forever? 8 They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, or judgment, or plague, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house), and cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear and save us.’ 10 Now behold, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and [d]Mount Seir, whom You did not allow Israel to invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (for they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), 11 see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
13 All Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives, and their children.
How do you respond in times of crisis? If you're like most people, it's probable that your attention is immediately focused on the situation rather than on God. But if you're a believer - and you never include the Lord and instead rely on your own resources to solve the Problem you'll miss the opportunity for trust in him to grow. If king jehoshaphat had rung his hands in fear instead of concentrating on God's greatness and past provision, jerusalem might have been captured by the invading armies. But he turned to the Lord knowing that no problem was bigger than the God of heaven. In his prayer, Jehoshaphat magnified the Lord's greatness, recalled his mighty works and asked for divine protection. Trusting god with a dire situation.
The king said our eyes are on you when you encounter trouble and distress and don't know what to do. Remember this moment in Jehoshaphat's life and fix your eyes on your mighty God read a passage of scripture that describes his greatness recount all the ways he has led and protected you and ask him to accomplish his goodwill in this situation. Then rest in his faithfulness. Trusting him to guide you.
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