Hope in Chronicles
It is only Monday and anxiety and fear have been the theme of the day. I wish I could tell you that I have been a stoic follower of Christ with no fear of tomorrow but this has not been the case. As COVID-19 has been the revolving news for what feels way to long I wanted to share a word of great hope. By the grace of God I was reminded of a text from my daily Bible reading in 2 Chronicles 20.
King Jehoshaphat just took over as king of Judah after what seemed to be a long line of Davidic kings who sought after idols and provided no lasting hope for the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat came on the scene when the morale of the people of Judah was low. There seemed to be no hope in sight of a leader who would lead the people back to the Lord their God. In steps the new King who “brought them back to the Lord (vs 4).” Following his appointment as king things seemed to be improving for the tribe of Judah. The idols were taken down, the priests were reinstated, and the people began seeking the Lord. Then, in steps Ch. 20. The people of Judah are faced with a periling challenge-facing the Moabites, Ammonites, and the Meunites. These people greatly outnumbered the tribe of Judah. The forces were closing in on them quickly when word was brought to Jehoshaphat. Notice vs 3-“he was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” Fear pierced his heart, however it did not linger for long. Can you imagine this moment? The king had been faithful to restore the people of Judah back to the Lord and he is struck with the news that all could be gone-destroyed in a day from the opposition. Imagine the fear of the men, woman, and children? Would this be the last night they would all spend together? Will we go back into slavery like our ancestors? Everything hung in the balance and the enemy was closing in fast.
The king then held a service in the court of the Lord amongst the people. Did he grumble about what was to come? NO!! He says in vs 9 and 12,
“If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you-for your name is in this house-and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save….For 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.”
If you continue to read Ch 20, the Lord comforts the people of Judah by saying, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” If you read on, God reigned true on every promise made. Vs 24 shows a picture of the tribe of Judah coming upon a hill looking down at dead bodies lying on the ground everywhere. Judah had not lifted a finger, God had done it!
If we take our eyes off of the Lord, especially during a time like now, our hearts will be overcome with fear, anxiety, and anger. God has not given us a spirit of Fear! He has given us His promise that he is working everything for our good AND for His glory. Can you imagine being there with the people of Judah? Without hope in God, they were as good as dead men walking. Their hearts did not give way to fear, but to Worship. I pray that we in the days ahead would do the same.
