King Jehoshaphat paced in his palace chambers. Wave after wave of refugees were flooding Jerusalem, their towns overrun by an advancing army made up of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. Border skirmishes had been increasing of late, but he had not anticipated an all-out attack. His advisors had just recommended pulling the army together to protect the city. Still, in truth, most of them were already there, having fled their homes. He gave the order.
Not Knowing
That night he tossed and turned, wondering what actions may have caused God to turn his back on them. He had been a kind and merciful king, appointing fair judges to administer justice to all the people. Why had God allowed this attack? There was only one course of action available. Repelling this attack in their own strength was impossible. His mind made up; he fell off into a restless sleep.
As morning dawned, Jehoshaphat issued another decree. All of Judah was to fast and pray. God was their only hope. The king himself would lead the people in coming before their God. Jehoshaphat began by reminding God and the people of his promises and faithfulness through the ages. He shared their desperate situation, and then he said, “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (from 2 Chronicles 20)
“Our Eyes Are on You”
It seems that this is the exact prayer that we should be praying today. Amid a pandemic globally and the abuse of power resulting in social and racial unrest at home, we can find ourselves feeling that we don’t know what to do.
“We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
No matter where you stand on the issues we are facing, as the body of Christ, we can come together and pray. We can remind God of his promises and share our frustration with him. We might not have the knowledge or the power to change our circumstances, or even to push through them, but he does. Our eyes are on him.
Remember that old hymn, Turn your eyes upon Jesus?
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace
Spend some time focused on Jesus today. He knows what to do.
Very encouraging…thank you!
Of course, Deb! Thanks for your comment. Sorry about our delay in responding to you. Need to get with technology!