FEAR!!!
2 Chronicles 20:3, 12
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah… (Jehoshaphat speaking) “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.”
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was in the middle of difficult circumstance. Several different countries were allying against Judah. He looked at the situation and quickly came to this conclusion: we are no match for them! He was most definitely overwhelmed. There was another emotion that weighed heavily on the king, FEAR.
In this strange season of pandemic and social unrest, it is very easy for us to experience fear. Fear about the present and the future. Fear about any number of things, both big and small. I want us to see Jehoshaphat’s response to fear as something we can apply to our daily lives during this time of chaos.
- Jehoshaphat remembered Who was on his side.
Jehoshaphat refused to allow what surrounded him to keep him from remembering the TRUTH: God had always been there and always will be there.
- Jehoshaphat ran to the One Who was on his side.
Almost immediately, in spite of his fear, the king called out to the Lord in prayer. He knew he could run to God and find the answer he needed.
Something else I want us to take note of: in the midst of fear Jehoshaphat asked God some tough questions. “Art not Thou God in heaven? Rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen?” Asking God questions is not wrong. We need answers, and He has them.
- Jehoshaphat remained faithful and obedient to God during this time of fear.
He knew Who was on his side. He knew where to run. He knew what to do: obey whatever God says. He asked God the questions and gave God the time to answer. When God spoke, the king followed the directions.
Jehoshaphat found out that God was fighting the battle on his behalf. God showed up and showed off! The big key was Jehoshaphat ran to Him before he tried to fight on his own.
Let’s do the same with our fear. Allow it to be the thing that drives us to God. He is fighting for us, not against us. He’s got a plan in this mess! Trust and obey!