Be Still Devotional: Day 4

Devotion for Thursday February 13
by Kathleen Yarborough | Community Ministries Director

Scripture
2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.’”

Devotional Thought
Sometimes when we read the Word of the God, we tend to focus on a section and ignore the context. Today’s verse would be easy to do that with. “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.” Easy enough—let’s just not be afraid or dismayed about anything. But, understanding how Jahaziel the priest came to give King Jehoshaphat this message is just as important.

At this point, King Jehoshaphat had a few successes and brought the people of Judah back to the Lord. As things are going pretty well, a “great horde” is coming to make war against them. But God simply tells them, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed,” right? Nope. Here is what happened: King Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and he immediately asked the Lord for advice. He had all the people of Judah fast and ask the Lord for help. Then, he prayed to God and acknowledged who He was and all He had already done for His people. King Jehoshaphat told God the problem (the horde of armies!) and told God they were all looking to Him for help.

That is when God tells him, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.” God tells King Jehoshaphat that the battle is His. Then, God instructs them how to fight the battle with lots of specifics. And guess what . . . when King Jehoshaphat’s army shows up to the battle, all the hordes are already dead!

When we want to rest in the words “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed,” we must start with talking to God and acknowledging all He has done in our lives. Then we tell Him the problem. And then, most importantly, we ask for help. (Having others praying with us will help, too.)

Reflection questions

• When and where has God come through for you in past?
• About a current problem, have you stopped to ask God for help?

Suggested prayer/action step
Make a list of all the things God has done for you in the past. Keep it handy to repeat back to God when you go to Him with a problem and remember to ask Him for help before you start solving the problem on your own.