Faithful on Fridays Blog

How do we respond?

2 Chron. 20 gives an account of righteous king that seems appropriate for today’s worldwide circumstances. When a great foreign army was coming against God’s people Jehoshaphat did a brave thing; he ‘set his face to seek the LORD, proclaimed a fast throughout the land, and all the people followed his lead’. In his recorded prayer the king declared:

… 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 20:12b 

That’s a place of great faith and God responded to King Jehoshaphat by sending the Holy Spirit to a prophet to encourage the people:

Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’
2 Chronicles 20:15 

Isn’t that true today against a pandemic virus, an enemy, that can’t really be controlled? Battles believers encounter aren’t theirs to fight because when you walk by faith you’re trusting in the Supreme Commander to fight on your behalf whether by miraculous deliverance or by giving strategic counsel to our leaders. The Holy Spirit continued speaking through the prophet giving them that specific strategy. Consider it for yourself and your family today:

… Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.
2 Chronicles 20:17b

The king recognized the Spirit’s anointed words and his response in front of the people was this: humbled worship. He called on the leaders to gather the people to sing with very loud voices to God (vs. 19) and then Jehoshaphat spoke to them:

“Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe His prophets, and you will succeed.”
2 Chronicles 20:20b 

That lower story of King Jehoshaphat is indicative of our fight in the upper story but are we listening and obeying what our leaders are telling us? Do we recognize we’re powerless, are we following their strategy by holding our position (stay at home), and remaining grounded in faith? 

As Faith Keepers in our homes (2 Tim. 4:7) its our job to pattern what it means to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12) in front of the people we encounter. I know we don’t like our routines interrupted, we’re uncomfortable being quarantined, and we certainly don’t like being told what to do but the Apostle Paul said it well,

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 

Let’s learn that secret together and let others ‘see our faith’ (Matt. 9:2).