Crisis Counsels from the Scriptures #12
In Crisis Counsels we have been considering a story from II Chronicles 20, where the people of Judah, faced with a terrifying invasion, were led by the musician/prophet Jahaziel to march out to meet the invading forces. Even though the people of Judah were woefully outnumbered, they were to trust in God; as Jahaziel said, “Do not fear or be dismayed; go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” (II Chronicles 20:17)
How do you move forth against a frightening foe? The Scripture describes what the people did in verse 21:
“When King Jehoshaphat had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy splendor, as they went before the army, saying, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.’”
II Chronicles 20:21
They went forth singing praise to God! Notably, they were praising and thanking God before they had experienced a victory in the crisis. They could have such confidence in God because they knew that “His steadfast love endures forever.”
This story gives us powerful guidance for how to meet the present crisis – keep singing praise to God, confident that we are held in God’s steadfast love! Long before any crisis is resolved, we can have the assurance that God will lead us through according to God’s purposes. The song of II Chronicles 20 actually goes back to King David (see I Chronicles 34), and it would be repeated in multiple places in the Psalms. It is a message that can resound in our hearts today. No matter what challenge we face, we can take our stance in faith, proclaiming, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever!”
Daily Prayer: We thank You, O God, for Your steadfast love that holds us forever. Click To Tweet
