Trusting God through crisis and adversities sometimes is easier said than done Trusting our Heavenly Father through crisis and adversities is not an easy task, especially when you may be confronted with this giant right in front of you. The story of King Jehoshaphat in the Old Testament is such a gripping story of faith, hope, and trust when your back is up against the wall and you have no other options other than crying out to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
In 2 Chronicles 20 tells what Jehoshaphat faced Jehoshaphat ascended to the throne at age thirty five. He reigned for 35 years. Jehoshaphat's father was King Asa of the Kingdom of Judah. Asa's father was Abijam or also pronounced Abiyah. Abijam's father was Rehoboam and King Rehoboam's father was King Solomon. Solomon was the son of King David who most know through the famous story in the bible of David and Goliath. King David was the King of Israel and Judah. King Jehoshaphat for the most part was a King who sought after God's own heart. Previous Kings sought for the help of Baal. Jehoshaphat, instead, removed places of worship to foreign god's. He fortified Israel's defense against their enemies. He built forts in attempts to help the kingdom prosper financially and so much more. I say for the most part because he made mistakes along the way that later he would have to suffer consequences for. An alliance was made between Jehoshaphat and King Ahab. Jehoshaphat gave his son to be married to Ahab's daughter Athalia. Few years after Ahab enticed him into forming a league to retake a disputed city in Northern Israel. He wanted to seek the Lord first on whether he should stand with Ahab on this matter. They called 400 prophets who would only favor what sounded pleasing to the King. There was one called Micaiah who stated "I'll only say what my God tells me to say". When Micaiah spoke he prophesied that death would come to Ahab. After he was done speaking he was struck on the cheek. So many cannot handle when truth is spoken. Jehoshaphat's heart was right but he definitely was not led by the Holy Spirit because he went along with Ahab in spite of what the one true prophet had spoken. He unfortunately paid for that mistake by barley escaping death. Ahab had been struck and killed in that battle just as Micaiah had prophesied. He was rebuked by Jehu when he returned back from battle. He asked him "Should you help the ungodly and love those who hate the Lord? and in doing so bring wrath on yourself?" Jehoshaphat was given news that three armies which were the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites were coming to attack him. Jehoshaphat was frightened and didn't know what to do. Can you imagine being put in that position. Here was a King who was called and appointed to protect his Kingdom and now finds himself facing such a terrible crisis. I absolutely love that the first thing that Jehoshaphat did was to cry out to God for guidance and gave orders of a fast to be observed throughout the country. Showing his true heart for God, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the assembly and prayed out loud to the Lord his God. He cried out saying for we have no way to face this vast army that is coming to attack us. We do not know what to do but our eyes are put on you. God was faithful in answering their cry because while they were praying and crying out to him he gave a word of prophecy through Jahaziel. He said: "Listen, King Jehosphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's...Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. The word that came through the prophet Jahaziel actually came to pass when the armies that were once set out to destroy and conquer Jehosaphat turned on each other and destroyed themselves. Have you been in a situation in life that it looked like there was just no way to get through the situation you suddenly found yourself in? There was absolutely no way in the natural you could see what you were going through turn around. As you survey your situation everything around you says, "Sorry, there is just no way." BUT GOD steps in. We serve a mighty mighty God who is all knowing, all powerful, who loves you unconditionally and who never leaves us or forsakes us. Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him. Psalm 65:24 Before they call I will answer: while they are still speaking I will hear. In this particular passage God spoke through Jasirael and gave a specific word to Stand Still. Easier Said than Done What? I am going through this right now. I am facing this situation in my life right now and your saying Stand Still? You may be saying Lord you know all things and you know what has been done against me and you want me to Stand Still ? The word Still is a translation of the Hebrew word Rapa-meaning to slake, let down, or cease. In some instances the word carries the idea of to drop, to weak or to faint. Be still is a command repeated in scripture and it needs to get our attention. The literal translation taken from the Greek is Hush or to Shut Up !! It can be a struggle to Stand Still through adversity coming at you from all different angles and from many situations. When you have been attacked, used, abused, mistreated, and misunderstood your first reaction is to protect and defend yourself by any means possible. When your character was misaligned, or something was stolen from you. If you were lied about, gossiped about, if you had plots against you. Your flesh wants to automatically rise up. God says, "No let me fight your battles." There is a time to Shut Up! A time to talk, and a time to confront. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and watch God move on your behalf!!
1 Comment
Lorraine
9/8/2021 03:47:03 pm
Debbie
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AuthorDebbie is a pastor's wife who loves sharing devotionals that are relevant and real. Archives
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