Ok, but HOW?

In my last post, we looked at 2^nd Chronicles 20:1-26. If you didn’t get a chance to read that post already, take a moment to check it out here.

We looked at this moment of crisis in the life of Jehoshaphat and how God not only fought for him, but the victory offered more plunder than they could carry! There might be a situation in your life in which you are “alarmed”, but when we follow the Lord into battle the way Jehoshaphat did, we will always walk away with more plunder than we can handle.

I don’t know about you, but I like the idea of plunder. I want to believe God is fighting for me and He has a purpose at the end of the battle. And I like shiny things (ok the literal “plunder” like fancy cars and Kendra Scott earrings are not what we are promised. The “plunder” is more often the intangibles we can put in the treasure chest of our heart. Can’t wear it to a fancy dinner out, but it’s unquestioningly more valuable.)

So how exactly do we apply this verse to our lives? I don’t want to live in the constant state of “alarm”, but if I’m being honest, it’s hard to live out the belief that God is taking care of my situation in the day-to-day details.  So let’s take a closer look at how Jehoshaphat handled this situation.

First, he was “alarmed”. Some translations say “terrified” or “feared”. So let’s go ahead and acknowledge that stuff we face in this world is scary and that’s ok. But we don’t stay there. Here’s what he did next…

1. Verse 3: “He resolved to inquire of the Lord.” Are you committed to bring your seeking the Lord? Jehoshaphat was so committed that he proclaimed a fast so he could silence the negative voices around him and truly hear from God.
2. Verse 5: “He stood in the assembly at the temple of the Lord.” Are you connected to your church community? It might look different these days–maybe it’s in person, maybe it’s online, maybe it’s a weekly facetime, but you aren’t meant to face the difficulties of this life alone. Stay connected to your church family who will speak truth into your life.
3. Verse 12: “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” They laid out their fears and their prayers with honesty and transparency. Don’t worry, God can handle it…He’s literally as old as time (does God have an age?), and He’s already heard it all.
4. Verse 13: “…[they] stood there before the Lord.” Can’t you feel the tension hang in the balance in this verse? They gathered, they prayed, and then in silence, they held their breath and waited.
5. Verse 15 : “Listen…” Oh yeah, that part. Sometimes I spent my entire time with the Lord pouring out my heart in prayer. There’s nothing wrong with that. But at some point along the way, it shifts from a desperate child coming to her father for help into just worrying out loud. The Lord wants to hear from you, and He wants to hear it all. But don’t forget to actually give it to Him and trust Him with it, then listen to what He has to say.
6. Verse 18: “…all the people…fell down in worship before the Lord.” They did this before the battle. They worshipped Him before they saw they outcome of their prayers.
7. Verse 20: “Early in the morning they left” They came together as a body of believers, they committed, they prayed, they waited, they listened, they worshipped, and then they obeyed…ie, they left. They took the next right step of obedience.

All these things are crucial to following the Lord into battle, but one stands out to me above the rest. Notice that prayer of Jehoshaphat’s in verse 12 – “we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” Jehoshaphat kept his eyes on the Lord throughout his crisis.

It’s possible to face the most difficult battles that life has to offer and come out stronger on the other side. Sure, there are wounds at the end of a hard-fought battle. But there is plunder at the end of a battle that’s won. Suffering doesn’t just create brokenness – you can walk away with something worth keeping, as long as you are staying focused on the Creator, and not the crisis.

Which of these things are the hardest for you? What can you do to shift from being “alarmed” to putting your eyes upon Him so you can receive the plunder and the promise that He has in store for you?