“It all means more than I can tell you. So you must not judge what I know by what I find words for.” Marilynne Robinson, Gilead
"And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said, 'O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9"If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, 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 affliction, and you will hear and save." And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.'" 2 Chronicles 20:5-12
SOME OBSERVATIONS OF THEN:
• They prayed as a nation (demonstrating a value on their collective relationship with one another).
• They prayed with humility (demonstrating a dependence on the Lord).
• They prayed with expectation (demonstrating a belief that God would hear and save them).
SOME ENCOURAGEMENTS FOR NOW:
1. We should live with an internal understanding that God is real and relational.
“The most foundational thing in God is not some abstract quality, but the fact that he is Father…Thus all that he does he does as Father. That is who he is. He creates as a Father and he rules as a Father; and that means the way he rules over creation is most unlike the way any other God would rule over creation.” Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity
2. We should live with an external awareness that God is sovereign over everything.
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33
3. Therefore, the way we think about, speak to, and interact with the world around us should demonstrate a holy confidence in our Heavenly Father.
“As fears increase in the American church, we’ll have the opportunity to resurrect a holy fear of God in our midst. As we suffer under the temporal judgment of God as weary sojourners, we may just find a stronger voice to warn others to flee from the wrath to come. As we sense the nearness of the day of retribution, we may speak once again with unction and holy disquiet.” Elliot Clark, Evangelism as Exiles
"Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:13-15
“In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.” Harvey, (1950)
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
• Delighting in the Trinity, Reeves
• Turning Points, Noll
• The Upside Down Kingdom, Castaldo
• Evangelism as Exiles, Clark
FOR DISCUSSION:
• How does Jehoshaphat’s response to the crisis differ from more typical reactions we might expect? What can we learn from his example?
• Jehoshaphat expressed his trust in God despite the looming threat (v. 12). What are some practical ways we can demonstrate trust in God during our own struggles or uncertainties?
• How can we remind ourselves and others of God's past faithfulness in our lives, as Jehoshaphat did?