SEEK THE LORD
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11
On ordinary days it’s a spiritual discipline or holy habit to notice God in the ordinary. When life is in upheaval, there’s a tendency for believers and non-believers alike to seek His face.
My sixth grade teacher, Mr. De Groot, used to say, “There’s no atheists in foxholes.” He knew firsthand the horrors of war. When life was mundane around camp, his comrades would poke fun of his faith. When bullets started flying or they heard orders to advance against the enemy, his bunker became a prayer closet. Even the toughest dudes would get on their knees, weep, and ask for prayer. When troubles came, soldiers sought the LORD.
The same was true in OT times. When the Moabites and Ammonites came to make war on Jehoshaphat, the king was alarmed. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him (2 Chronicles 20:3).
The world is not short on heartache these days. We need to look no further than the morning news, church prayer chains, caring bridge sites, or the hurts within our circle of family and friends. There’s much we can learn from King Jehosaphat and Judah about seeking God in times of distress.
- Remember who God is. When Jehosaphat stood before the assembly at the temple of the LORD, he prayed, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God of heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you” (v. 6).
- Remember God’s wondrous works in the past. Jehosaphat continued, “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?” (v. 7).
- Remember what God will do in the future. The king prayed, “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” (v. 8-9).
As the men, women, and children of Judah stood in the temple courtyard, the king confessed to the LORD that they had no power to face the vast army that was attacking them. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (v. 12b). And the LORD said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v. 15).
PASSION Step: Seek the LORD by keeping your eyes on Him. Notice Him in the ordinary and in the agony.
Enter into the inner chamber of your mind, shut out all things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God; and having barred the door of your chamber, seek him.
Anselm of Canterbury
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