Newsletter June 2023 Part 2
Our eyes are on You
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)
In the days of King Jehoshaphat Judah faced a great crisis: all the surrounding nations had gathered together against God’s people to attack and destroy them. Understandably, the King was afraid. Yet his fear did not make him despair but rather turn to God. He called a fast for the entire nation; and the entire nation actually showed up! How was this possible? Why was Jehoshaphat so sure that God was able to help? Why did he not panic? Why did he not focus on his military resources or seek allies to support him? Why was it so natural for him and his nation to turn to God? The answer is found in the previous chapters.
When Jehoshaphat ascended the throne of Judah, he made God the focus of his life and reign. We read (2 Chr. 17:4ff) that he sought the LORD and walked in His commandments and, consequently, the LORD established his kingdom. The people realised that God was with their king and honoured him with gifts and their allegiance.
Moreover, Jehoshaphat removed the idols that had been set up in Judah over the years and had caused the people to turn away from God. He then sent his faithful leaders throughout his kingdom to teach the Law of God to the people. As a result, the people of Judah honoured God and the fear of the LORD came upon the surrounding nations so that they were afraid to attack Judah and even paid tribute to them. Jehoshaphat grew ever wealthier and ever stronger. Yet in all this, Jehoshaphat never grew proud. He remembered that God was the source of his blessings; so when he faced his greatest trial he knew where to turn: he did not rely on his own strength but on the God who had established him in the first place.
When they heard that their enemies had unified against them, the people of Judah gathered together in Jerusalem to seek God. Jehoshaphat himself led the prayer, focusing on the greatness and the faithfulness of God and ending with a plea for help: “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chr. 20:12)
As they stood waiting on the Almighty, Jahaziel, a prophet of God began to prophesy, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. … You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you.”
The people embraced the word of the LORD and went out the next day, not heavily armed and ready to fight, but praising their God for the deliverance they believed was theirs, as He had spoken. And indeed, as they praised God, their enemies suddenly turned on one another and destroyed one another!
That day Judah celebrated a great victory; but the foundation for that victory had been laid long before. It was during the good times that Jehoshaphat had prepared the nation for this crisis by his own example and by teaching the people all over the country to follow the commandments of God. Therefore it was natural for them to turn to God in this desperate situation. When a fast was called, they came, knowing that God was the answer to their problem.
We too are surrounded by opposing forces. It is important for us to be aware of what is coming against us in respect of social, political and economic challenges and, particularly in respect of the increasing attacks being mounted by the spiritual forces of darkness against God’s people. However, like Jehoshaphat, we must immediately turn our focus on God, the sovereign Creator and Ruler of the Universe. Rather than fear and become discouraged, we need to rest in the assurance that God will fight for His own. It is not by our strength and ability that we overcome, but by our surrendering to Him and His purpose – to reveal Himself to the world He created. God can confound our enemies if we only believe His word and praise His name as the people of Judah did. Come what may, God will always fight for those who put their trust in Him. So let us watch and pray together. Let us as one body united by the Spirit keep our eyes continuously on the almighty God revealed in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Pastor Konrad