When God’s People Humble themselves and Pray

 

 

2 Chronicles 20:13-17

 

July 24, 2023

 

When God’s People Humble themselves and Pray

 

Meanwhile, all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.  And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.  And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.  Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel.  You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah, and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

I find no joy in saying the Church in the United States of America, does not have at this time in our history a desire to humble themselves and pray.  Look at what God said to the nation of Judah and the King when they humble themselves and sought Him,

He made it clear the battle is not your battle it is God’s and they were told what the church has been told also, to stand firm, hold your position, and God will do the fighting.  When we were in Israel our guide told us that in the six-day war, pilots told of having run out of ammo with Syrian Migs coming at them and they began to fall to the ground, they believed God was fighting for them.  

What has God told His Church to do in Ephesians 6:11-16, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil?  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”

Often the Church has been told to stand firm, 1 Corinthians 15:58
"Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."

–Philippians 1:27
"Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."

–1 Corinthians 16:13
"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice