There will always be challenges in our lives. Every challenge is a unique opportunity to trust God. When we find ourselves in a circumstance where fear has come in, we can use the fear to help us see where faith is not yet rooted in our lives.
There is an amazing story of Jehoshaphat. He faced a challenge and he overcame.
“After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “O Lord, God of our fathers, 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, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘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.’ “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O 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 upon you.” ” (2 Chronicles 20:1–12, NIV84)
What we see is that a very real crisis happened in Jehoshaphat’s life. He was being attacked. What we also see is that when the attack happened people around Jehoshaphat decided to promote fear instead of faith. These people came and tried to make Jehoshaphat focus on the problem. In our lives there will always be people who are more concerned about the problem then the solution.
Jehoshaphat had a very normal reaction. He was alarmed. He was afraid. Fear is not sin. Fear is a tool to show you and reveal where faith is not real. Use fear to seek faith. Even Paul had fears. “For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. ” (2 Corinthians 7:5, NIV84)
Jesus never condemned fear when He ministered. He just reminded us not to fear. “”Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ” (Luke 12:32, NIV84)
Fear is the uncertainty about the future. Fear exposes those places in our lives where faith is not yet established. Fear reveals the opportunity for growth. Fear will either propel us towards growth or bind us into captivity. This must be our response to fear. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. ” (Psalm 56:3, NIV84)
Jehoshaphat responded to his fear. He decided to proclaim a fast and seek God. He came in unity with the people determined to seek God. He was honest with God about the reality of fear but determined before God to find faith.
Jehoshaphat began to pray. He remembered who God was and how Loving God was. He recited the character of God. He remembered in the presence of God that he was in covenant with God. Jehoshaphat stirred up his faith in God’s promises. And as he stood before God, he surrendered to God. “O 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 upon you.” ” (2 Chronicles 20:12, NIV84)
Is there fear in your life? Uncertainty? Pray with Jehoshaphat. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”
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