Crying Out to the Lord...

Cry Out...

Many times throughout my life, I have read through the BIble. I have shared before that I didn't deeply understand what I was reading. I still don't to some extent, but I have been praying for "eyes to see and ears to hear." I have resources and a renewed desire, and I thoroughly enjoy the lessons on every page and in every story.

Over the last few weeks, I have read through Kings and Chronicles. Now, this is one area that I have read faithfully before, but I skimmed through without understanding the deeper meanings. Right now, I notice a pattern as I read. Each King of Judah and Israel is introduced in the chapter with their lineage, their age when they began their reign, the number of years they reigned, and how they followed the Lord. It is so easy to be an armchair quarterback and watch others. We often think, "Why are they making the same mistakes again?" or "Why are they not learning from the mistakes of others?" It reminds me of a movie where, obviously, the guy is hiding in the other room, and you know that he will slip out at some point. You watch intently, knowing the inevitable is coming, willing the characters to realize what is happening and look around. This scene is in so many movies and is always met with the same response. The character acts surprised. You know when you make the same mistakes, the same outcome will result.

I was reading in II Chronicles 20 about the fourth king of Judah, son of Asa. King Jehoshaphat heard of three groups of men coming to attack Judah. At that time, there were no cell phones, internet, drones, satellites, automobiles, etc., and because everything was on foot, chariot, or animal, preparing was a little easier because it took some time for armies to march. These men from Moab, Mount Seir, and Ammon combined to amass a large army. King Jehoshaphat did something that I would not expect many leaders today would even think of first. He called for a fast all across Judah, and then called everyone together in Jerusalem to pray. This included all his men and all the people, including the women and children, under his command. Then he "cried out to the Lord". I can visualize King Jehoshaphat and his people gathered together in Jerusalem, crying out to God. What a scene to see all these people pouring their hearts out for God's guidance. I think 8000 women at the latest conference I attended was a lot of people in one place shouting out to God; imagine the heavens ringing with the cries of all these people for God's guidance when King Jehoshaphat led them in Jerusalem.

King Jehoshaphat asked the Lord what he should do. He asked the Lord for protection, and He asked the Lord to be with his people. King Jehoshaphat knew one thing: he knew that only God could protect them. When reading Kings and Chronicles, many of the other leaders would not have gone to the Lord first, if at all. Would our leaders today? Do they even think of calling out to God and asking His advice? In II Chronicles 20, we see King Jehoshaphat first acknowledge and thank God for being faithful to them. King Jehoshaphat acknowledges that it has been God, and God alone, who has been with the people and God alone can save them again. King Jehoshaphat states in II Chronicles 20:12, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." Then, in II Chronicles 20:13-15 is the response from God. "All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD. Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: `Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." I see King Jehoshaphat tell God, "But our eyes are upon you." King Jehoshaphat did not take his eyes off God. He did not waver in his faith. He knew that God would save them. Then the response from God is a constant reminder to us all in any situation: "For the battle is not yours, but God's."

There are so many times in my life that I wish I had unwavering faith like those in the Bible. I cry out to God for his guidance and strength. I cry out to Him for his love and mercy. I cry out to Him in honor and thankfulness for all He has done for me. I know that I have a God who is loving, merciful, just, and ever-present. If only my "eyes are upon You," Lord, I will be safe. If only I remember, the battle is not mine, but Yours, I am ready for any battle. I encourage you to read the Old Testament again. There are so many lessons for our lives in the present time. God is good. God is good at being God.