He promises to be with us when we face our battles, whatever they are. But then we watch for our deliverance with faith fastened to the God who makes good on His promises. We don’t run from it we stand with our eyes toward the fear, the irresolution, the crumbling walls around us. Yet He still tells us to turn and face our hardship. The battle is not ours - it’s the Lord’s. “And he said, ‘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). When the Lord spoke through Jahaziel son of Zechariah, He responded with compassion and authority, both incredible characteristics of One who comes to save: But we have a saving grace in our God, who hears our cries and is mighty to save. Our situations can be so dire that we come to the absolute end of ourselves, unable to see a way through. The Israelites had nowhere to turn except toward God. The people stood and waited, placing their lives and hope in the Lord in an act of great dependence. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” ( 2 Chronicles 20:12, ESV). He prayed, “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. What did King Jehoshaphat do? He called the people from every town in Judah to stand with him at the temple of the Lord and inquire of God ( 2 Chronicles 20:4). Fear was palpable through the city, and a great alarm was raised.
A mountain of armies descended around King Jehoshaphat and the people of Israel. We see the Israelites in a similar position in 2 Chronicles 20 - trapped, with their enemies marching against them. It feels like the enemy of our souls is charging toward us and there is no stopping the advance.īut the God of our fathers stands ready with power and might in His hand, making a way ( 2 Chronicles 20:6). Sometimes the pain of this world or our own personal suffering can corner us and fill us with a fear we never thought possible. He is at work because He hears the cry of His daughter. Nothing about my circumstances shifts in this moment, but a steady knowing grows in me: My God sees and understands, and He has not left me to flounder through life on my own.
I am weary and worn out, my faith on the brink of surrender.īut the sun streaks suddenly through the sky, pushing back the rain clouds that give way to rays of light. It all feels insurmountable, impenetrable. Shortly after I rise, I’m reminded of the physical, mental and emotional strain I’m sludging through, my heart constantly heavy from the burden I bear.
#BIBLE READING FOR TODAY WINDOWS#
Rain tears across the pavement, batters the windows and distorts the view as I push myself into the morning. 47Moreover the king's servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.' The king bowed in worship on the bed 48and went on to pray thus, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who today has granted one of my offspring to sit on my throne and permitted me to witness it.“And he said, ‘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 (ESV) Adonijah said, "Come in, for you are a worthy man and surely you bring good news." 43Jonathan answered Adonijah, "No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king 44the king has sent with him the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites and they had him ride on the king's mule 45the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan have anointed him king at Gihon and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, "Why is the city in an uproar?" 42While he was still speaking, Jonathan son of the priest Abiathar arrived. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" 40And all the people went up following him, playing on pipes and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth quaked at their noise.Ĥ1Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. 39There the priest Zadok took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. 38So the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule, and led him to Gihon.
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