What Is Our Response?
by Eddie Morales
Director of Student Ministries / Missions
Let’s be real. We can’t ignore all that is going on right now in our world. We look at news reports. We look at the economy. We look at ourselves and our past experiences. Don’t get me wrong, we shouldn’t be ignorant or act blindly, but we need to keep our eyes on Jesus so much more than anything else. Because, if we are not careful, if our attention is focused on ourselves and the world around us, we can end up being mastered by fear and worry.
As I was praying and thinking about what to share, I was drawn to 2 Chronicles. The Lord highlighted a few things that I want to share in response to fearful times.
In 2 Chronicles 20, we find Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, faced with a very troubling situation. He had just finished some spiritual “house cleaning,” making sure that his people were following God and going about their business in a God-honoring way. Shortly after, he received word that several enemy nations were coming together to attack him and his land. This was very abrupt and unexpected news. Under the pressure and weight of the news, Jehoshaphat was afraid (verse 3). In some translations, it says that he was terrified, alarmed and shaken.
I think that we can all relate to this right now in one way or another. What is happening in our society has been in many ways abrupt and unexpected. There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding health, travel, jobs, school, family, the future.
However, Jehoshaphat’s response to his own fear is what captured my attention:
“Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord,” (ESV).
He resolved to seek the Lord! He went to God for help and ordered a nationwide fast.
Jehoshaphat then prayed a prayer of recognition, remembering God…
“are you not the God who is in heaven…power and might are in your hand…are you not the God who…” (verses 6 – 12, CSB).
He remembered God and what he had done. He ended his prayer with an authentic plea:
“We do not know what to do, but we look to you” (verse 12, CSB).
Then the Lord responds—the Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, and all that is seen and unseen—the God who appoints kings, who provides for the sparrows and clothes the wildflowers—our God, the Faithful One, answered:
“This is what the Lord says: DO NOT BE AFRAID OR DISCOURAGED BECAUSE OF THIS VAST NUMBER, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S…YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE. POSITION yourselves, STAND STILL and SEE the SALVATION of the Lord. HE IS WITH YOU, Judah and Jerusalem.” (verse 15 & 17). [Emphasis mine.]
Do not be afraid. He is with you. This is a reminder and an encouragement, and it is echoed throughout the Bible.
I think of the song, “Surrounded.” The lyrics say:
“It may look like I'm surrounded
But I'm surrounded by You
This is how I fight my battles
This is how I fight my battles.”
Maybe this is just a moment of pause. There is not much we can do other than to take the necessary precautions. And, yes, it may look like the walls are closing in a bit, and that can be scary, but I invite you to position yourself by seeking the Lord in prayer, worship, fasting. Then stand still and be present. Wait for the Lord to show up like he has done before and like he will continue to do in the future. Resolve to seek the Lord and choose to be surrounded by Him today.