In Times Like These

Thought For Today - June 29
In Times Like These
By: Robert A. Searles

There are times when we as Christians find ourselves in seemingly impossible situations. It seems that the sea is in front of us, the enemy pursuing behind us, and barriers on either side of us. We don't know what to do, and it seems that there is no escape. We think that there is no help for us, that we are lost and forsaken.

In 2 Chronicles chapter 20, we read that Jehoshaphat king of Judah, found himself in a similar situation. We are told that : "It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle." 2 Chronicles 20: 1.

The bible says that Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

"And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. and Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord." 2Chronicles 20: 3-4.

Jehsohaphat did the smart thing. He set himself to seek the Lord, and all Judah committed themselves to prayer and fasting to ask help from the Lord.

My Christian brothers and sisters, we know from the teaching of the word of God, and from the witness of the Holy Spirit within us, and from the reproofs of life, that the wisest thing that we can do if we are lost, back slidden, or in any kind of trouble is to seek the Lord and ask his help, Recognizing that we who by faith have received the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, God's Love gift to us, are the born again children of God, and God has promised to care and provide for his own.

Principles involved here are -  When we know not what to do in any given situation, focus our eyes upon the Lord: "Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you". 1 Peter 5: 7.

When we, who are the children of God, call upon the Lord for help, he fights our battles for us, and we shall not need to fight, but stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Before any visible signs of victory are evident, start singing praises to the Lord, and be thankful for what he will do.
When we believe God, and our praise and thanksgiving begins, God begins to work in our lives.
Jehoshaphat told his people to start singing and praising the Lord for what he was about to do for them.

"And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth forever. and when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten." 2 Chronicles 20:21-22.
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God is present wherever people are truly praising him. He inhabits or lives with the praises of his people. Wherever God is present, his enemies, and our enemies flee away and are destroyed.