Fixing Your Eyes on God
“After this the Moabites and Ammonites and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat ‘A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar.’ Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord,” (2 Chronicles 20:1-4).
As it became very clear to Jehoshaphat that danger was on its way, he knew that action was needed. However, Jehoshaphat understood that there was nothing that he could do on his own. So, with the enemies on their way and a war about to begin, Jehoshaphat turns to the only source of power and comfort that he knew. God…
2 Chronicles 20:6-12
"O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, '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.' And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? 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."
The prayer offered by King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 serves as an invaluable testament to the power of seeking God's guidance and protection in times of trouble. It gives this ever-inspiring image of faithfulness to God and understanding that God is above all. Most importantly, however, is the fact that this prayer still reveals very valuable lessons to believers even today.
Firstly, Jehoshaphat's prayer reminds us of the authority of God and His ability to provide throughout all trials. Jehoshaphat recognizes this fact when he begins his prayer with, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” Jehoshaphat goes on to list some of the things that God has done for His people. This is a key to prayer. Having faith in God. The moment that we begin to doubt God, minimize His power, or forget His authority, we begin to lose faith and have doubt within our prayers. This is exactly what Jesus is trying to convey to His disciples when He said, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith,” (Matthew 21:22). Like Jehoshaphat, we cannot forget or minimize the power and the authority of our God.
Secondly, Jehoshaphat's prayer recalls the faithfulness of God throughout history. Jehoshaphat reflects on the providence of God throughout the times of his ancestors. Recounting stories of God driving out the inhabitants of the promised land of Abraham’s descendants and recalling the sanctuary that was built for His name. Jehoshaphat is strengthening his trust in God in his prayer by building a firm foundation of faith by recalling the things that God has done in the past. By building this foundation of faith, Jehoshaphat was able to display full faithfulness in God during this great time of need.
Additionally, Jehoshaphat demonstrates a true heart and desire for seeking God’s deliverance. He acknowledges his personal weaknesses and his lack of power. Jehoshaphat recognizes the need for God during this time. He understands that he cannot rely on his own power and his own understanding, rather, he needs the power of God.
Lastly, Jehoshaphat’s prayer teaches us how we need to fix our eyes on God during times of trial. Whenever we find ourselves in a lost situation with no hope, we can learn from the prayer of Jehoshaphat. Rather than giving into our fears, our temptations, and our despair, we can look towards God. By keeping our eyes fixed on our God, we recognize Him alone as our source of wisdom, strength, and power.
As we reflect on the prayer of Jehoshaphat this week, let us continually be encouraged to look towards our Heavenly Father with trust. Just as God continually delivered His people throughout times past, He is ever faithful and loving to deliver us from our challenges today.
Reading for this week: Philippians 4
Fix Your Eyes On God This Week!
