Fix Our Eyes on God
Dr. John K. Mathew
Three major powers - the Moabites, the Amorites, the Meunites joined together and formed a vast army and came against Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. He was really in trouble and it was at quite an unexpected time. He was literally in a vicious circle.
We know people react to their problems in different ways. Some try to cover up. They tend to hide it so that others will be unaware of it.
A second category tries to deny a problem exists. Denial is a natural response of all upon a loss but it doesn’t solve the problem.
The third group wants to give up when faced with challenges. They are so hopeless and assume that there is no way out. They leave the problem to destiny.
The fourth group panics so much that they not only lose heart, they spoil the peace of others.
There is yet another group who look to the face of the Lord no matter what happens. Jehoshaphat belonged to this fifth group. This is what he says: “Our God, will you not judge them. For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, But our eyes are on you” ( 2 Chron. 20:12)
When he looks to the face of the Lord, his prayers are founded on three things.
Faith in God. He says, “ Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven. You rule over all the kingdoms of the Nations. Power and might are in your hand” ( 2 Chro. 20:6).
Faith in God’s character: This God is God of his forefathers. He never changes. Apostle Paul says, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He cannot disown himself” ( 2 Tim. 2:13).
Faith in God’s promise: Jehoshaphat is recollecting the promises of God. Promises God has given to his forefathers. It reads, “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment or plague or famine, we will stand before your temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress and you will hear us and save us” ( 2 Chron. 20:9).
He acknowledged three things before his prayer:
We have no power.
We do not know what to do.
But our eyes are on you.
Jehoshaphat’s method and attitude is the one for us to adopt today - as we battle the corona crisis and its numerous after-effects.
We are all concerned about our future and anxieties escalate.
It could be the pandemic or other problems. The best we can do is to look to the face of the Lord.
Jehoshaphat’s life and his victory over his enemies guarantee one thing, “those who look to Him are radiant and they will never be put to shame.”
