Crisis Counsels from the Scriptures #6
Yesterday in Crisis Counsels we heard about Jahaziel, a musician who suddenly became a prophet when “the spirit of the Lord came upon him.” (II Chronicles 20:14) It happened at a moment of great crisis, when the people of Judah were facing an enormous invasion of enemy forces. The king, Jehoshaphat, had just uttered a prayer in which he said, at the end, “We do not know what we should do, but our eyes, Lord, are fixed upon You.” (II Chronicles 20:12) Now God would give the people instruction through the mouth of Jahaziel.
Jahaziel said, “Listen all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat; Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” (II Chronicles 20:15)
We so often think that it is all up to us to solve every problem. It is important that we make every effort; but if we rely only on ourselves, we leave out a huge Reality. “The battle is God’s” reminds us that God is at work in the world for our good. We will find strength and vision for every challenge, and can ultimately find positive and lasting solutions, when we put our trust in God.
Jahaziel began God’s message with the words, “Do not fear or be dismayed.” Fear and dismay abound in our world today! But we find release from fear and dismay when we stand in the conviction that “the battle is God’s.” Jahaziel was not telling the people to do nothing; they still had action to take, as we will see in tomorrow’s Crisis Counsels. But his words have resounded through the ages, giving basic orientation to people who feel terrified in the face of a great crisis – “Do not fear or be dismayed . . . for the battle is not yours but God’s.”
Daily Prayer: Release us, O Lord, from fear, and guide us to trust that You are at work with power. Click To Tweet
