Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 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.”
Faced with the imminent threat of a formidable group of enemies, Jehoshaphat acknowledges his own vulnerability and the collective powerlessness of the people before the challenge. This display of humility underscores the importance of recognizing our limitations and reframing the problems in our lives within the context of God’s presence and power in our lives.
Jehoshaphat’s prayer also reflects a deep trust in God’s character and past actions. He invokes God’s role as the Covenant-Keeper, recalling how God had given the land to their ancestors the Israelites. By referencing God’s faithfulness, Jehoshaphat emphasizes the foundation of their relationship with God. This serves as a reminder to us that remembering God’s faithfulness in our own lives can boost our trust and confidence in Him during trying times.
Furthermore, Jehoshaphat’s humble recognition of their need for God’s guidance teaches us that acknowledging our lack of knowledge or control and seeking His direction is a path to finding solutions beyond our own human capacity.
Have you ever had something that was so huge in your life that you didn’t know what to do? Based on this Scripture, what specific advice would you give your past self?
Pray: “Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the relationships around me, and to Your presence in, and plan for, my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
