2 Crônicas 20
Alexander Maclaren · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Crônicas 20
Maclaren - Holding Fast and Held Fast As they went forth Jehoshaphat stood and said, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.’— 2 Chronicles 20:20 Certainly no stronger army ever went forth to victory than these Jews, who poured out of Jerusalem that morning with no weapon in all their ranks, and having for their van, not their picked men, but singers who ‘praised the beauty of holiness,’ and chanted the old hymn, ‘Give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever.’ That was all that men had to do in the battle, for as the shrill song rose in the morning air ‘the Lord set liers in wait for the foe,’ and they turned their swords against one another, so that when Jehoshaphat and his troops came in sight of the enemy the battle was over and the field strewn with corpses—so great and swift is the power of devout recognition of God’s goodness and trust in His enduring mercy, even in the hour of extremest peril. The exhortation in our text which is Jehoshaphat’s final word to his army, has, in the original, a beauty and emphasis that are incapable of being preserved in translation. There is a play of words which cannot be reproduced in another language, though the sentiment of it may be explained. The two expressions for ‘believing’ and ‘being established’ are two varying forms of the same root-word; and although we can only imitate the original clumsily in our language, we might translate in some such way as this: ‘Hold fast by the Lord your God, and you will be held fast,’ or ‘stay yourselves on Him and you will be stable.’ These attempts at reproducing the similarity of sound between the two verbs in the two clauses of our text, rude as they are, preserve what is lost, so far as regards form, in the English translation, though that is correct as to the meaning of the command and promise. If we note this connection of the two clauses we just come to the general principle which lies here, that the true source of steadfastness in character and conduct, of victory over temptation, and of standing fast in slippery places, is simple reliance, or, to use the New Testament word, ‘faith,’ ‘Believe and ye shall be established.’ Put out your hand and clasp Him, and He puts out His hand and steadies you. But all the steadfastness and strength come from the mighty Hand that is outstretched, not from the tremulous one that grasps it. So, then, keeping to the words of my text, let me suggest to you the large lessons that this saying teaches us, in regard to three things, which I may put as being the object, the nature, and the issues of faith; or, in other words, to whom we are to cling, how we are to cling, and what the consequence of the clinging is. I. To whom we must cling. ‘Stay yourselves on the Lord your God,’ Well, then, faith is not believing a number of theological articles, nor is it even accepting the truth of the Gospel as it lies in Jesus Christ, but it is accepting the Christ whom the truth of the Gospel reveals to us. And, although we have to come to Him through the word that declares what He is, and what He has done for us, the act of believing on Him is something that lies beyond the mere understanding of, or giving credence to, the message that tells us who He is and what He has done. A man may have not the ghost of a doubt or hesitation about one tittle of revealed truth, and if you were to cross-question him, could answer satisfactorily all the questions of an orthodox inquisitor, and yet there may not be one faintest flicker of faith in that man’s whole being, for all the correctness of his creed, and the comprehensiveness of it, too. Trust is more than assent. If it is a Person on whom our faith leans, then from that there follows clearly enough that the bond which binds us to Him must be something far warmer, far deeper, and far more under the control of our own will than the mere consent or assent of our brains to a set of revealed truths. ‘The Lord your God,’ and not even the Bible that tells you about Him; ‘the Lord your God,’ and not even the revealed truths that manifest Him, but Him as revealed by the truths—it is He that is the Object to which our faith clings. Jehoshaphat, in the same breath in which he exhorted his people to ‘believe in the Lord, that they might be established,’ also said, ‘Believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.’ The immediate reference, of course, was to the man who the day before had assured them of victory. But the wider truth suggested is, that the only way to get to God is through the word that speaks of Him, and which has come from the lips either of prophets or of the Son who has spoken more, and more sweetly and clearly, than all the prophets put together. If we are to believe God, we must believe the prophets that tell us of Him. And then there is another suggestion that may be made. The Object of faith proposed to Judah is not only ‘the Lord,’ but ‘the Lord your God.’ I do not say that there can be no faith without the ‘appropriating’ action which takes the whole Godhead for mine, but I doubt very much whether there is any. And it seems to me that to a very large extent the difference between mere nominal, formal Christians and men who really are living by the power of faith in God as revealed in Jesus Christ, lies in that one little word, ‘the Lord your God.’ That a man shall put out a grasping hand, and say, ‘I take for my own—for my very own—the universal blessing, I claim as my possession that God of the spirits of all flesh, I believe that He does stand in a real individualizing relation to me, and I to Him,’ is surely of the very essence of faith. There is no presumption, but the truest wisdom and lowliness in enclosing, if I may so say, a part of this great common for ours, and putting a hedge about it, as it were, and saying, ‘That is mine.’ We shall not have understood the sweetness and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ until we have pointed and condensed the general declaration, ‘He so loved the world,’ into the individualizing and appropriating one, ‘He loved me, and gave Himself for me.’ Oh! if we could only apply that process thoroughly to all the broad glorious words and promises of Scripture, and feel that the whole incidence of them was meant to fall upon us, one by one, and that just as the sun, up in the heavens there, sends all his beams into the tiniest daisy on the grass, as if there was nothing else in the whole world, but only its little petals to be smoothed out and opened, I think our Christianity would be more real, and we should have more blessings in our hands. God in Christ and I, the only two beings in the universe, and all His fullness mine, and all my weakness supported and supplemented by Him—that is the view that we should sometimes take. We should set ourselves apart from all mankind, and claim Him as our very own, and so be filled with the fullness of God. This, then, is the Object of faith, a Person who is all mine and all yours too. The beam of light that falls on my eye falls on yours, and no man makes a sunbeam the smaller because he sees by it; and in like manner we may each possess the whole of God for our very own property. II. How we cling. The metaphor, I suppose, is more eloquent than all explanations of it. ‘Believe in the Lord’; hold fast by Him with a tight grip, continually renewed when it tends to slacken, as it surely will, and then you will be established. We might run out into any number of figurative illustrations. Look at that little child beginning to learn to walk, how it fastens its little dimpled hands into its mother’s apron, and so the tiny tottering feet get a kind of steadfastness into them. Look at that man lying at the door of the Temple, who never had walked since his mother’s womb, and had lain there for forty years, with his poor weak ankles all atrophied by reason of their disuse. ‘He held Peter and John.’ Would not his grasp be tight? Would he not clasp their hands as his only stay? He had not become accustomed to the astounding miracle of walking, nor learned to balance himself and accomplish the still more astounding feat of standing steady. So he clutched at the two Apostles and was ‘established.’ Look at that man walking by a slippery path which he does not know, holding by the hand the guide who is able to direct and keep him up. See this other in some wild storm, with an arm round a steadfast tree-stem, to keep him from being blown over the precipice, how he clings like a limpet to a rock. And that is how we are to hold on to God, with what would be despair if it were not the perfection of confidence, with the clear sense that the only thing between us and ruin is the strong Hand that we clasp. And what do we mean by clasping God? I mean making daily efforts to rivet our love on Him, and not to let the world, with all its delusive and cloying sweets, draw us away from Him. I mean continual and strenuous efforts to fix our thoughts upon Him, and not to allow the trivialities of life, or the claims of culture, or the necessities of our daily position so to absorb our minds as that thoughts of God are comparative strangers there, except, perhaps, sometimes on a Sunday, and now and then at the sleepy end, or the half-awake beginning, of a day. I mean continually repeated and strenuous efforts to cleave to Him by the submission of our will , letting Him ‘do what seemeth Him good,’ and not lifting ourselves up against Him, or perking our own inclinations, desires, and fancies in His face, as if we would induce Him to take them for His guides! And I mean that we should try to commit our way unto the Lord, ‘to rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.’ The submissive will which cleaves to God’s commandments, the waiting heart that clings to His love, the regulated thoughts that embrace His truth, and the childlike confidence that commits its path to Him—these are the elements of that steadfast adherence to the Lord which shall not be in vain. III. The blessed effects of this clinging to God. ‘So shall ye be established.’ That follows, as a matter of course. The only way to make light things stable is to fasten them to something that is stable. And the only way to put any kind of calmness and fixedness, and yet progress—stability in the midst of progress, and progress in the midst of stability—into our lives, is by keeping firm hold of God. If we grasp His hand, then a calm serenity will be ours. In the midst of changes, sorrows, losses, disappointments, we shall not be blown about here and there by furious winds of fortune, nor will the heavy currents of the river of life sweep us away. We shall have a holdfast and a mooring. And although, like some light-ship anchored in the Channel, we may heave up and down with the waves, we shall keep in the same place, and be steadfast in the midst of mobility, and wholesomely mobile although anchored in the one spot where there is safety. As the issue of faith, of this throwing the responsibility for ourselves upon God, there will be quietness of heart, and continuance and persistence in righteousness, and steadfastness of purpose and continuity of advancement in the divine life. ‘The law of the Lord is in his heart,’ says one of the Psalms, ‘none of his steps shall slide.’ The man who walks holding God’s hand can put down a firm foot, even when he is walking in slippery places. There will be decision, and strength, and persistence of continuous advance, in a life that derives its impulse and its motive power from communion with God in Jesus Christ. There will be victory, not indeed after the fashion of that in this story before us. In it, of course, men had to do nothing but ‘stand still and see the salvation of God.’ That is the law for us, in regard to the initial blessings of acceptance, and forgiveness, and the communication of the divine life from above. We have to be simple recipients, and we have no co-operating share in that part of the work of our own salvation. But for the rest we have to help God. ‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you.’ But none the less, ‘This is the victory that over-cometh the world, even our faith,’ and if we give heed to Jehoshaphat’s commandment, and go out to battle as his people did, with the love and trust of God in our hearts, then we shall come back as they did, laden with spoil, and shall name the place which was the field of conflict ‘the valley of blessing,’ and return to Jerusalem ‘with psalteries, and harps, and trumpets,’ and ‘God will give us rest from all our enemies round about us.’ 2 Chronicles 20:21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” KJV 2 Chronicles 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. BGT 2 Chronicles 20:21 καὶ ἐβουλεύσατο μετὰ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἔστησεν ψαλτῳδοὺς καὶ αἰνοῦντας ἐξομολογεῖσθαι καὶ αἰνεῖν τὰ ἅγια ἐν τῷ ἐξελθεῖν ἔμπροσθεν τῆς δυνάμεως καὶ ἔλεγον ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ κυρίῳ ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ LXE 2 Chronicles 20:21 And he took counsel with the people, and set appointed men to sing psalms and praises, to give thanks, and sing the holy songs of praise in going forth before the host: and they said, Give thanks to the Lord, for his mercy endures for ever. NET 2 Chronicles 20:21 He met with the people and appointed musicians to play before the LORD and praise his majestic splendor. As they marched ahead of the warriors they said: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his loyal love endures." CSB 2 Chronicles 20:21 Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the LORD and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the LORD, for His faithful love endures forever. ESV 2 Chronicles 20:21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever." NIV 2 Chronicles 20:21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." NLT 2 Chronicles 20:21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: "Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!" EXB Jehoshaphat ·listened to the advice of [consulted/conferred with] the people. Then he ·chose [appointed] men to be singers to the Lord, to praise him ·because he is holy and wonderful [for his holy splendor; or in their holy/sacred vestments/robes]. As they ·marched in front [went ahead] of the army, they said, “·Thank [Give thanks to; Praise] the Lord, because his ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever [Ps. 136].” MSG After talking it over with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed a choir for God; dressed in holy robes, they were to march ahead of the troops, singing, Give thanks to God, His love never quits. NCB After conferring with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed some to sing to the Lord and praise the splendor of his holiness as they marched forth at the head of the army: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” NCV Jehoshaphat listened to the people’s advice. Then he chose men to be singers to the Lord, to praise him because he is holy and wonderful. As they marched in front of the army, they said, “Thank the Lord, because his love continues forever.” NIRV Jehoshaphat asked the people for advice. Then he appointed men to sing to the Lord. He wanted them to praise the Lord because of his glory and holiness. They marched out in front of the army. They said, “Give thanks to the Lord. His faithful love continues forever.” consulted: 1Ch 13:1,2 Pr 11:14 appointed: 2Ch 29:25-30 30:21 Ezr 3:10,11 Ne 12:27 praised Him in holy attire, 1Ch 16:29 Ps 29:2 50:2 90:17 96:9 Give thanks to the LORD 2Ch 5:13 7:3,6 1Ch 16:34,41 Ezra 3:11 Ps 106:1 107:1 136:1-26 Jer 33:11 Related Passages: Psalm 20:7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. 1 Chronicles 16:29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the LORD in holy array. FIGHTING THE ENEMY WITH PRAISE AND SONG When he had consulted with the people - Consulted (yaas) is translated in Septuagint with bouleuo This shows the humility of this man. He was not saying "my way or the highway." He was willing to listen to the advice of the people who were also placing their lives on the line. It is interesting that nowhere in this story do we see the king consult his military men. In fact we later see he sends the singers out in front of the army! (2Ch 20:21). Now that is walking by faith, not sight! He was sold out completely to the promises of God's deliverance. he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire (KJV - "beauty of holiness" 1Ch 16:29KJV; 2Ch 20:21KJV; Ps. 29:2KJV; Ps. 96:9KJV), as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness (hesed) is everlasting.” - This is one of those amazing passages in the Bible that is jaw dropping! Singers going before their own army and going before a strong enemy with songs and praises! That would be utterly ridiculous if they did not firmly believe God's Word to them that the battle was His! Their going out with praise was an act of obedience which demonstrated their trust in Jehovah and His Word! Both king and country were walking by faith, not by sight (a good pattern to imitate! - 2Co 5:7+)! And this may have been why the king consulted with the people, to be sure they understood the implications of what he was asking them to do! But fast forward to the great victory God gave them! What would that have done to their faith? That's relatively rhetorical for surely it would have enlarged their faith in Yahweh and His Word. So great was their trust that the singing choir went in front of the army. 🙏 THOUGHT - Note how they were dressed for battle - holy attire! Is this not how we are to fight our spiritual war against our invisible enemies? That's rhetorical. Of course it is, for our "general" the apostle Paul commands us to "Put on (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,." (Eph 6:11-16+) That's a synopsis of our holy attire. The corollary is don't go into battle with unholy attire! Confess and repent before you fight! If necessary, do a Ps 139:23,24 "checkup!" Then stand and see the deliverance of the LORD. (2Ch 20:17)! Bob
2 Crônicas 20
Maclaren - We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee”. (2Ch 20:12KJV) “Our text is the close and climax of Jehoshaphat’s prayer, and as the event proved, it was the most powerful weapon that could have been employed, for the rest of the chapter tells the strangest story of a campaign that was ever written … We see here the confidence of despair. the very depth of despair sets them to climb to the height of trust … firm is the trust which leaps from despair!… Wise and happy shall we be if the sense of helplessness begets in us the energy of a desperate faith. For these two, distrust of self and glad confidence in God, are not opposites, as naked distrust and trust are, but are complementary … We see here the peaceful assurance of victory that attends on faith”. Jahaziel told them in v. 15, ‘the battle is not yours, but God’s’, and in v. 17, ‘stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord with you’. No wonder that the message was hailed as from heaven, and put new heart into the host, or that, when the messenger’s voice ceased, his brother Levites broke into shrill praise as for a victory already won … For if we begin our warfare with an appeal to God, and with prayerful acknowledgment of our own impotence, we shall end it with thankful acknowledgment that we are ‘more than conquerors through him that loved us’ ” (Rom 8:37) (Read the full sermon - A Strange Battle) James Butler - Sermon Starters - SEEKING HELP FROM GOD 2 Chronicles 20:12 “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” (2 Chronicles 20:12). This text is part of a prayer which Jehoshaphat king of Judah prayed to God when Judah was invaded by an enemy army. Jehoshaphat had his faults, but one of them was not this prayer. FIRST—THE PUNISHMENT OF EVIL “Wilt thou not judge them?” The invading armies which were from Ammon, Moab, and Edom, were nations Israel was not permitted to invade and war against when they came out of Egypt (2 Chronicles 20:10). Yet here they would return the favor by invading Judah. Hence, the plea of Jehoshaphat for Divine judgment upon these nations. This question is often asked by God’s people. Sometimes it looks like evil men, evil nations, and evil politics will gain control permanently. And the godly ask God if He notices and will therefore judge these evil people and groups. The answer is a resounding, Yes. The context of this verse emphasizes the affirmative answer to this question. God does indeed judge evil even though it seems at times that evil is ruling the roost. Many of us asked this question during World War II when Germany, Japan and Italy and their wicked rulers seemed to control the world in an embrace of evil. But today we do not question God’s judgment upon them, for these three nations bit the dust in ignominy and ruin as God brought judgment. Wickedness seems to have the upper hand in our nation today. But God will judge and evil will be condemned in due time by the Almighty. SECOND—THE PROBLEM OF WEAKNESS “We have no might against this company that cometh against us” Jehoshaphat recognized his weakness. Pride often refuses to humble itself and admit it can’t do it alone. But unless we humbly admit our inability, we will never pray for God’s ability. God often allows us to come into situations that overwhelm us so we will seek His help. Do not be discouraged if your troubles overwhelm you and you see no way out. Seek the Lord and ask Him for help. He can and will help! THIRD—THE PERCEPTION OF DUTY “Neither know we what to do.” Jehoshaphat not only had a problem with lack of power, but he also had a problem in perceiving his duty. He did not know what to do. We all come to that place in our life more often than we like to admit. Our wisdom matches our weakness. But “if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). God can show you what to do just as easy as He can overcome your evil enemy. Seek Him. FOURTH—THE PRACTICE OF WORSHIP “Our eyes are upon thee.” You may be overwhelmed by your problems, but keep your eyes upon the Lord and seek him in your troubles. Jehoshaphat sought God and won a great victory. Streams in the Desert - “Neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon thee.” (2 Chron. 20:12.) A LIFE was lost in Israel because a pair of human hands were laid unbidden upon the ark of God. They were placed upon it with the best intent, to steady it when trembling and shaking as the oxen drew it along the rough way; but they touched God’s work presumptuously, and they fell paralyzed and lifeless. Much of the life of faith consists in letting things alone. If we wholly trust an interest to God, we must keep our hands off it; and He will guard it for us better than we can help Him. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Things may seem to be going all wrong, but He knows as well as we; and He will arise in the right moment if we are really trusting Him so fully as to let Him work in His own way and time. There is nothing so masterly as inactivity in some things, and there is nothing so hurtful as restless working, for God has undertaken to work His sovereign will.—A. B. Simpson. “Being perplexed, I say, ‘Lord, make it right! Night is as day to Thee, Darkness as light. I am afraid to touch Things that involve so much; My trembling hand may shake, My skilless hand may break; Thine can make no mistake.’ “Being in doubt I say, ‘Lord, make it plain; Which is the true, safe way? Which would be gain? I am not wise to know, Nor sure of foot to go; What is so clear to Thee, Lord, make it clear to me!’ ” It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God’s hands and leave them there. Martin Manser - All eyes on God! (Walking with God) ‘We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.’ (2 Chronicles 20:12) Imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly faced with a coalition of three hostile nations marching against you. This was what faced Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. It would have been so easy for him in that situation to fix his eyes on the ‘vast army’ (2 Chronicles 20:2) of Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites coming against him. But instead, he called for ‘all eyes on God’. He quickly set the tone of what was needed at such a time, and the people followed his example. ‘Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD’ (2 Chronicles 20:3–4). The mention of his alarm is realistic; but he didn’t get stuck with his alarm. His prayer that follows is utterly focused on God, and not on the circumstances. He remembers the greatness of God; he remembers how he rules over all the nations of the earth; he remembers what God has done for his people in the past; and then he throws himself on God in the words of our opening verse for today. And then, an amazing thing happens! ‘Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures for ever.” As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated’ (2 Chronicles 20:21–22). What an amazing victory—brought about simply through praise! Jehoshaphat understood the importance of praising God, even in difficult circumstances. He knew that praise kept them focused on God; and in keeping focused on him, they were focusing on the one thing that could change their situation. Let’s seek to do the same ourselves today. ‘O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no-one can withstand you.’ (2 Chronicles 20:6) Vance Havner - STRANDED ON OMNIPOTENCE Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 2 Chronicles 20:12. Jehoshaphat had reached that human extremity which is God's opportunity. Jeremiah (Lamentations 5) and Micah (7) were shut up to God in holy desperation. Throughout the Bible, those who received God's blessing were desperate. Consider Jacob at Jabbok, Moses at the Red Sea, Gideon and his three hundred, David and Goliath, the four lepers in the gate of Samaria, or Bartimaeus, the Syrophenician woman, Jairus. The Rich Young Ruler missed his blessing because he was not shipwrecked on God nor stranded on omnipotence! Vance Havner - Looking Up Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 2 Chronicles 20:12. Jehoshaphat is faced by a powerful combination of Moabites, Ammonites, and others. In his desperation he turns to God: "O God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us." Are we not often in this plight? Do these lines fall under the eye of someone sore beset by an alliance of evil confederates, whether in the flesh or of the unseen world of principalities and powers? You do not know what to do. We never do. We have no might against the Moabites. But we can take Jehoshaphat's way out: "Our eyes are upon thee." We may not know what to do, but God always knows what He is going to do. He is never caught off guard or taken by surprise. Commit your case to Him. You can lie down at night and sleep, although tomorrow the Moabites will arrive. Many a saint has pillowed his head on a promise when all hope seemed gone. And when the dreaded day arrived God had handled the Moabites in His own way. "Our eyes are upon thee." "Looking unto Jesus." We know not what to do, but He knows. No sleeping pill can rest a man like knowing that Vance Havner - Is Thy God Able? When Dr. Blank had his nervous breakdown a specialist advised him to stop preaching, shut up his study, put away his books, and get his mind off religion. When Mrs. Doe suffered similar exhaustion the expert told her to give up church interests, join a club, go to the movies, and change her mind completely. Along the same line was the counsel given by one preacher to a very conscientious fellow minister: "You ought to smoke a big cigar and learn to cuss a little." We freely grant that one can become too absorbed in religious matters and may need to balance these with other interests. Certainly getting outdoors, fishing, golf, a new hobby, a change of scenery, all these have therapeutic value and aid in restoring body, mind, and spirit. But turning to worldly pursuits, to the theatre instead of church, replacing devotions with dancing, having a fling to offset too much serious living, this is the counsel of men and not of God and I do not buy it. If a man cannot turn to God in the hour of his deepest need and come boldly to the throne of grace for help in such a time, then the gospel means nothing and Christian experience is a delusion. I do not find David seeking relief from his troubles in some ungodly diversion. He had tried one foray into sex that scarred his soul forever. Our Lord set no example of turning to the world in the hour of trial. He said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation [pressure]: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." The New Testament does not advocate relaxing one's conduct to let the hair down when in distress. There should be healthy and happy enjoyment of life's innocent pleasures indeed, but we need not call in Satan under the guise of a specialist or renounce our holy walk because our nerves have failed. The Twenty-Third Psalm has comforted more distraught, sick souls than all the clever tricks offered by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Our God is a very present help in trouble and just when we need Him Jesus is near. I remember one bleak evening during these weeks of testing when I came into a lonely motel room where I was to stay while I preached (or a few days. The Bible lay open on the table at Psalms 42 and this precious verse: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Call that coincidence if you will but I call it Providence! When Jeremiah and Micah saw conditions at their lowest ebb and the outlook was bleakest they saw the way out: "Thou, O Lord, remainest forever" (Lamentations 5:19); "Therefore I will look unto the Lord" (Micah 7:7). And when worst comes to worst we can say with Jehoshaphat, "...we [know not] what to do: but our eyes are upon thee" (2 Chronicles 20:12). Our God is not a fair-weather friend. He is accessible and available in the darkest hour. We need not turn to this world where all around us we see change and decay. We can pray with confidence, "O Thou who changest not, abide with me." Darius asked Daniel in the lion's den, "Is thy God... able to deliver thee from the lions?" (Daniel 6:27). If He is not able in life's darkest hour, He is not able, period. The Hebrew children said, "Our God... is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace..." (Daniel 4:17). He was and He still is! "We Do Not Know, But Our Eyes Are on You" In the court of the house where Your Name abides, Stood a king with the weight of a kingdom inside. The armies were coming, fierce, without end, But he called not his captains — he called on a Friend. “O Lord, God of Heaven, are You not the One, Who rules over nations, whose will shall be done? Power and might are held in Your hand, None can withstand You, by sea or by land.” “You gave us this place, this promise, this land, Drove out the foes with Your mighty hand. We built You a house, where Your glory could stay, Where Your people would gather and seek You and pray.” “In pestilence, sword, or in famine’s dark gloom, We cry from this house, and You hear from Your room. For You are our God — in You we have trust, Though the dust rise around us, You are still just.” “O see, Lord, the hordes that are coming like flood, To drive out Your people, Your promise, Your blood. We have no strength, no wisdom to guide, But our eyes are on You — not the sword at our side.” So the king stood still, and the people were still, Hearts laid bare on the slope of God’s will. And Heaven leaned low, for mercy to move— When the weak cry in faith, the strong One will prove. Unconventional Tactics We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. 2 Chronicles 20:12 Today's Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-13 In 1980, a woman hopped on a subway during the Boston Marathon. No big deal, except for one small detail. She was supposed to be running the marathon! Later, witnesses saw her jump into the race less than a mile from the finish line. She finished well ahead of all the other female runners, and oddly, she wasn’t winded or even sweating much. For a brief time she looked like the winner. In a conflict long ago, a people who were losing a battle found a more honorable way to win. When messengers told King Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,” he was terrified (2 Chron. 20:2-3). But instead of turning to typical military tactics, Jehoshaphat turned to God. He acknowledged God’s supremacy and admitted his own fear and confusion. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2Ch 20:12). Then the king chose singers to lead the army into battle. Instead of a war cry, they sang of God’s love (2Ch 20:21). The result was startling. Their enemies turned on each other (2Ch 20:22-24). In the end, “The kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (2Ch 20:30). Lord, You are not the source of confusion or fear, but of strength and peace. We exchange our panicky plans for Your amazing answers. Encourage us as we wait for You. Our God is never predictable, but He is unfailingly reliable. What Now? We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. — 2 Chronicles 20:12 Today's Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:5-17 During the years that I taught junior high students in an overcrowded school, I used to say (only slightly in jest) that my morning prayer was in 2 Chronicles 20:12—”O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” When Judah’s King Jehoshaphat spoke those words, it was a matter of life and death. As a coalition of armies marched against Jerusalem, the people of Judah gathered to seek God’s guidance and help (2Ch 20:13). During threatening times of disruption and change, we need to ask, “Lord, what do You want to do with this moment?” And like King Jehoshaphat, we should begin our prayer with praise to our sovereign and powerful Father in heaven (2Ch 20:5-9). God told the king and his people: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed . . . , for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. . . . for the LORD is with you” (2Ch 20:15-17). O Lord, whenever we're afraid, We'll put our trust in You To lead, protect, and guide our way, And help us make it through. —Sper Faith ends where worry begins, and worry ends where faith begins. 2 Chronicles 20:13 All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children. KJV 2 Chronicles 20:13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. BGT 2 Chronicles 20:13 καὶ πᾶς Ιουδας ἑστηκὼς ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ τὰ παιδία αὐτῶν καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες LXE 2 Chronicles 20:13 And all Juda was standing before the Lord, and their children, and their wives. NET 2 Chronicles 20:13 All the men of Judah were standing before the LORD, along with their infants, wives, and children. CSB 2 Chronicles 20:13 All Judah was standing before the LORD with their infants, their wives, and their children. ESV 2 Chronicles 20:13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. NIV 2 Chronicles 20:13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD. NLT 2 Chronicles 20:13 As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, wives, and children, all Judah: De 29:10 Ezr 10:1 Jon 3:5 Ac 21:5 Related Passage: Deuteronomy 20:2-4 “When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people. 3 “He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, 4 for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ WAITING BEFORE THE LORD All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children - It is as if they were silently waiting for Him to answer from Heaven! I am reminded of Isaiah 40:31+ "Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength (EXCHANGE THEIR STRENGTH FOR HIS STRENGTH); They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." 🙏 THOUGHT - Waiting is not passive. Waiting may be standing still on the outside, but it is trusting on the inside! How are you (am I) at waiting on the LORD to answer prayer?