In 2 Chronicles 20:1–26, Jehoshaphat, when faced with insurmountable challenges, stepped forward, set himself to seek the Lord, and then led Judah as they sought the Lord in prayer, fasting, and confessing. In the final line of his prayer (recorded in verse 12), He prayed, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (NIV). Is this not true today? Are we not facing overwhelming conditions in our world? We do not have the answers, but the church knows that God has the answers, and so we seek Him.
God responded to Jehoshaphat and provided a plan for the victory—one that revealed to Judah who God was, who they were as His people, and what they needed to do to see the victory. What is often overlooked when preaching from this text is the fact that the attack Judah was experiencing was a direct result of God’s people disobeying the plan God had for them. Judah, under Jehoshaphat’s leadership, had formed an alliance with a wicked people without God’s approval (2 Chronicles 19:1– 3; 20:1), and by doing so, they jeopardized their own security and safety. However, God, who is ever faithful to His word and His promise (2 Chronicles 7:12–14), responded to the people of God when they humbled themselves and sought God with their whole heart. It was not until then that God gave them the plan and the victory (2 Chronicles 20:15–17).
often focus on the fact that the people sang praises and this brought them the victory, we must remember what happened first—they first had to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. They had to be still before the Lord, pray, and listen to God’s plan. Then they had to choose to come under God’s control, believe that God’s plan was enough, and obey his directive. It was then that the victory came.
In 2 Chronicles 7:12–16 (VOICE), we read,
The Eternal appeared to Solomon one night.
True God: As promised, I have chosen this temple as the place where My name will dwell and where I will receive sacrifices and prayer. I heard your prayer, and I will honor it. If I close up the heavens and their rain and send any of the disasters you described—drought, locusts, pestilence—to ravish the land and people; and My people (who are known by My name) humbly pray, follow My commandments, and abandon any actions or thoughts that might lead to further sinning, then I shall hear their prayers from My house in heaven, I shall forgive their sins, and I shall save their land from the disasters. Now I will witness with My eyes and hear with My ears the prayers offered in this temple because I have chosen and consecrated this temple as the eternal resting place for My reputation, My eyes, and My heart.
Have we stopped to humble ourselves yet? Have we humbled our hearts to God? Have we stopped to listen? Have we realigned ourselves with God’s will for us? Are we under God’s authority? Or is there a need for repentance because we have taken charge of our own lives without consulting God, without regard for what God wants for us? If so, let’s repent and return to the place of humble submission to God.
God says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will HUMBLE THEMSELVES [come under His authority, bow their hearts, surrender to Him] . . . ” (v. 14, emphasis added). This is a heart attitude and position! We are His people; we are of His blood; we are not of the world. Our connection is to Him. Let us make sure that we are placing ourselves under God’s control.
Lord, may our attitude lead us to act appropriately. Please hear us as we pray:
- Lord, we humble ourselves before You. We come under Your control, surrendering ourselves in hunger and thirst for righteousness. We confess You, oh Lord.
- We turn (repent) and seek Your approval, Your peace, Your direction, and Your will.
- We seek for You, Lord. Create in us a clean heart, oh God, a heart that is pleasing to You.
- Renew a right spirit in us!
- Lord, we are still and listening for Your voice.
- Lord, we believe that Your plan is the right plan and more than enough to take us on to victory.
- Now, Lord, we bless Your holy and glorious name! You alone are worthy and faithful and able!
Amen!
