If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us (2 Chronicles 20:9)
Recently the national news showed evacuees returning to what had been their homes in the country of Nepal. Devastation was everywhere. Standing in her home that was damaged beyond repair, a woman in her 70s told the newscaster that she didn't know what she would do. How many times do you feel exactly the same way? A bill that you forgot about and don't have the money to pay? Your child comes in to tell you that she is pregnant? Your son tells you that he is hopelessly addicted to drugs? You come in on Friday morning only to be told that you don't have a job there anymore? Your spouse goes in for what the doctor said would be routine surgery only to have it turn for the worst and they come to you and tell you that they are gone? What do you do? Do you wallow in despair and depression? Do you tear your shirt and put ashes on your head for the world to see your obvious misfortune?
In today's Scripture passage, Judah's ruler, Jehoshaphat, had been warned that the enemy was coming to wage war. His response to the approaching crisis was to call on the people to join together in fasting and prayer. Firmly believing that the Lord would hear them and save them, his army went into battle, singing praises to God. The Lord responded favorably to them. The story gives me pause to consider: When I receive warning that a disaster is on it's way, will I be prepared? What's in my emergency response kit? Is it filled with only medical supplies and a flashlight-or have I included prayer and praise to God?
When trouble comes who do you turn to? Man or God? Self reliance or God reliance?
We need to be like Jehoshaphat, we need to prepare and expect God to act, with the understanding that God does not always act in a way that we expect. He often times will act in a way that we would have never of thought of to accomplish His purpose. We are called to praise God in the good times but we are to praise Him even more so in the bad. We don't always know when disaster is around the corner from us but trust me when I tell you, if you are following God and in His will you will ultimately see the good out of a bad situation.
Join together with the Body of Christ to pray and fast over what ever situation has you reeling. There is nothing to big or too small that you can't take to God and ask for His help with. His desire is to commune with His people and to help us and teach us through each thing we go through.
Recently the national news showed evacuees returning to what had been their homes in the country of Nepal. Devastation was everywhere. Standing in her home that was damaged beyond repair, a woman in her 70s told the newscaster that she didn't know what she would do. How many times do you feel exactly the same way? A bill that you forgot about and don't have the money to pay? Your child comes in to tell you that she is pregnant? Your son tells you that he is hopelessly addicted to drugs? You come in on Friday morning only to be told that you don't have a job there anymore? Your spouse goes in for what the doctor said would be routine surgery only to have it turn for the worst and they come to you and tell you that they are gone? What do you do? Do you wallow in despair and depression? Do you tear your shirt and put ashes on your head for the world to see your obvious misfortune?
In today's Scripture passage, Judah's ruler, Jehoshaphat, had been warned that the enemy was coming to wage war. His response to the approaching crisis was to call on the people to join together in fasting and prayer. Firmly believing that the Lord would hear them and save them, his army went into battle, singing praises to God. The Lord responded favorably to them. The story gives me pause to consider: When I receive warning that a disaster is on it's way, will I be prepared? What's in my emergency response kit? Is it filled with only medical supplies and a flashlight-or have I included prayer and praise to God?
When trouble comes who do you turn to? Man or God? Self reliance or God reliance?
We need to be like Jehoshaphat, we need to prepare and expect God to act, with the understanding that God does not always act in a way that we expect. He often times will act in a way that we would have never of thought of to accomplish His purpose. We are called to praise God in the good times but we are to praise Him even more so in the bad. We don't always know when disaster is around the corner from us but trust me when I tell you, if you are following God and in His will you will ultimately see the good out of a bad situation.
Join together with the Body of Christ to pray and fast over what ever situation has you reeling. There is nothing to big or too small that you can't take to God and ask for His help with. His desire is to commune with His people and to help us and teach us through each thing we go through.
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