The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 20:2-4,
This turn of events for Jehoshaphat and Judah was clearly used by the Lord as a "training aid" to teach the folks about trusting and relying on God's great power and resources. King Jehoshaphat told the people, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." Verse 20.
Just how might he be doing just that kind of thing in our lives today?Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, 'A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar' (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him."
The Lord did not fail. The "vast army" was defeated without Judah having to raise a hand. "The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another." The Lord had them all kill one another!
This turn of events for Jehoshaphat and Judah was clearly used by the Lord as a "training aid" to teach the folks about trusting and relying on God's great power and resources. King Jehoshaphat told the people, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." Verse 20.
The prophet Jahaziel told Jehoshaphat and the people, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." Verse 15.
Here is a lesson from the Lord, introduced by events well beyond Judah's ability to handle. We see throughout the Scriptures the Lord works with people in just this way-- to teach that he is a strong refuge, the One to go to as trouble is faced, the one who has both the ability to deliver and the desire to do so.
I firmly believe the Lord continues to do this very thing in our lives today, to stretch us spiritually, to develop within us an appreciation for his loving desire to provide deliverance for us.
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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