There are times in all of our lives when we are overwhelmed with our circumstances and our only hope is to look to God. There is an incredible story in II Chronicles 20, where messengers come to the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, with the dire news that a vast army is descending upon Judah. Jehoshaphat calls the people together to fast and pray in Jerusalem. He stands before them and offers a stirring prayer reminding God of their history with Him and their covenant relationship. The king implores God that if He does not intervene, Judah will be powerless against the vast army. The prayer ended with the plea, “we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you”.
I am sure we have all prayed similar prayers in times when we felt hopeless and lost. Times when, in the natural man, we are powerless against the problems we are facing. Times when we are lost in the maze of decision making and do not know which way to turn. When you are alone in making the decisions and plans for yourself and your children, it is understandable that sometimes you will feel lost and overwhelmed. This is the time to turn your eyes to the Lord.
A Message from God
After the prayer, a prophet stands up and delivers a message from God. The Lord tells them where the vast army is located and sends the men of Judah out to face them. Three times the Lord tells them to not be afraid or discouraged. Three times the Lord tells them that He will be with them, He will fight the battle, and He will deliver them. In obedience, they went out early the next morning to face the enemy.
Notice the message of action and encouragement that the Lord gives to the men of Judah. There is no opportunity to hide under the bed or comfort themselves with ice cream or a glass of wine. He tells them to get up and go. Go face the overwhelming force that is marching against them. He promises He will go with them. He says that He will fight the battle and deliver them. They got up the next morning and marched out. They did not know what this deliverance was going to look like. They marched out in faith with their eyes on the Lord..
When we call on God in those desperate hours, we have to be ready to respond in faith. Whether He calls us to urgent action or to wait for His timing, we have to be ready. He can bring us peace in those times our eyes are turned to Him and not on the situation. We have to trust Him to act on our behalf. If you are called to action, do not delay in your obedience. Yes, I said obedience. When God answers you with a call to action, it is not with a suggestion. Like the men of Judah, march out with urgency.
God Delivers
As the army of Judah went out, Jehoshaphat gave a rally cry to stir their faith and courage. He boldly proclaimed that they were going to be successful because they believed God and His prophet. He brought singers to the front of the army to sing praises to the Lord as they marched to the battle.
In the meantime, the Lord was at work on the vast army. The Bible says the Lord set ambushes against part of the enemy army. I just wonder what that looked like. Was it like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie? We don’t know, but the enemies were supernaturally defeated. The rest of the vast army turned against each other and fought to the death down to the last man. When Judah came singing to the battlefield, everyone was dead. The Lord has fought the battle and delivered them.
What an amazing story! God really showed out for Jehoshaphat and the army of Judah. This is the same God that we are praying to today. The same God who worked both supernaturally and through the actions of others to deliver His people. God will deliver you if your eyes are on Him. It may not be immediate. It may come in a quiet and gradual way as God continues to teach you and draw you to Himself, but do not lose hope. Continue to rally your faith with songs of praise. Stand strong dear daughter! You can count on God to deliver you from your overwhelming circumstances. Keep your eyes on Him.