Weekend

I realize how frequently all the recent bad news keeps smacking us in the face, and because of that, I want to focus my weekends on the mighty works of God, whether in the Bible, in history, in my life, or in the lives of some of you. What God has done for others, He is more than capable of doing for you. What God has done for me, He is able to do for you. What God has accomplished for you, He is willing to do again.

In 2 Chronicles 20, the nation of Judah was on the verge of being invaded by the armies of several kingdoms. In his alarm, King Jehoshaphat cried out to God and reminded Him of His promise to deliver them. He ended his prayer with these sobering but stirring words, “… we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chron. 20:12b).

God responded through a prophet named Jahaziel. God’s plan was revealed; God would deliver the people of Judah. The following strategies were outlined:

• Do not fear or be dismayed because of the great multitude—the battle is not yours, but God’s.
• Tomorrow go down against them. Yes, they will come up and you’ll find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.
• You don’t need to fight in this battle, but station yourselves, stand, and see the salvation of God on your behalf.

And then God reminded them again:

• Do not fear or be dismayed—tomorrow go out to face them for the Lord is with you.

Upon hearing these words, Jehoshaphat and all of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the Lord in worship. The praise was thunderous.

The next day they arose early in the morning and Jehoshaphat said, “Put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and you will succeed” (2 Chronicles 20:20b).

Then he appointed the singers to go out before the army, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

When the singers began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes against the armies coming against them and they were routed. In fact, the enemies rose up against each other, destroying one another.

Judah approached the wilderness and looked at corpses littering the ground; none of their attackers had escaped.

Take some time this weekend to get quiet before God. You don’t have to know the answers. He is all you need right now, and as you put your eyes on Him and praise Him, you can trust that He will come through for you–and the nation.

Dorothy