June 4, 2013

Have faith in the Lord - 2 Chron. 20:20

Our pillow today represents the words of a wonderful king from the Old Testament - Jehoshaphat.  He was one of the "good guys" and served faithfully.  He was a man of personal godliness and I believe we can learn much from him on facing our enemies.

He was warned that an army was coming against him and, to be honest, he was alarmed.  It's not that he didn't have some fear or concern.  However, he resolved right away to "inquire of the Lord"...good choice!  These are some things we can learn from him as he prayed publicly in the temple:

1.  He knew God's abilities were endless to help him.  (v. 6)
2.  He reminded himself of God's past help and covenant with his people. (v. 7-10)
3.  He acknowledged his weakness and yielded himself to God's great power. (v. 12)

They then worshipped and praised the Lord for what He was about to do.  It was early the next morning that they set out and Jehoshaphat said these words to encourage the people:

                       "Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld...."

Now the best part: as they went out he assigned men to "sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness" and to give Him thanks.  They sang as they went!  I love that...they didn't go forward fearfully for they were confident in the Lord's goodness and power.  Listen to Streams in the Desert:

Don't let the song go out of your life;
Though the voice may have lost its trill,
Though the quivering note may die in your throat,
Let it sing in your spirit still!
 
God gave Jehoshaphat such a miraculous victory, all the nations around them lived in fear and they lived in peace (v. 29-30).
 
How about you?  Will you resolve to seek the Lord today, to pray to Him and to sing as if your life depended on it?  How can we not!!
 
For further study:  Psalm 30:4, 63:5, 77:6, 89:1, Habakkuk 2:4, Luke 18:8,  Romans 3:22-24, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:19, Hebrews 11:6.
 
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
 
Love,
Holly
 


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