Yesterday in Crisis Counsels we considered the story of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah in the ninth century B.C., who faced an enormous crisis when his country was invaded by an outside power. His first and central response was to look to God in faith, trusting that in all times God is at work with power. His prayer, which he uttered in the temple in Jerusalem, is found in II Chronicles chapter 20.

In the middle of the prayer, Jehoshaphat says, “If disaster comes upon us, the sword or pestilence or famine, we will stand before this house and before You, and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and save.” (II Chronicles 20:9)

Jehoshaphat was threatened by “the sword,” but it is notable that he also mentions “pestilence,” exactly what threatens us! His prayer provides solid spiritual guidance no matter what “disaster” we face – We will stand before You and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and save.

A unique feature of our situation is that we cannot even go to “God’s house” like Jehoshaphat did, since we are moving to livestreamed rather than in-person worship. Yet we benefit from the virtual connections made possible by modern technology, so that we can join all the more in the spiritual movement that Jehoshaphat describes – to call to God in our distress, trusting in God’s saving help.

We do not know exactly how this crisis will unfold, but we stand with Jehoshaphat in faith, looking to God to uphold us and direct our actions, and having the assurance that we are not alone.

Prayer: We cry to You, O Lord, in our distress, trusting that You are a God who hears and saves.

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