Monday Morning Manna

Monday, August 10

Monday Morning Manna   

Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.; O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.  2 Chronicles 20:2-3;12

Do you know the sound of your voice is the most powerful weapon you possess? Yesterday it was an honor to share a message with the church titled – Surrounded using 2 Chronicles 20:1-19 as the scripture background. Using the story of King Jehoshaphat I encouraged the church to use their voice to proclaim victory over that which is not seen. Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah and Jerusalem, and he had received word from his intelligence that the Ammonites, Moabites and the people of Mount Seir were coming to war against him. Talk about a reason to panic! We too are facing a crisis. COVID-19 is causing many of us to fear and become anxious. However, God calls us to remain confident during crisis by looking to Him. Michael W. Smith sings the song – This Is How I Fight My Battles and says “It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You” If only we can remind ourselves during the crisis Who surrounds us then we’d have the faith needed to ride out the storm.

Notice the immediate response after hearing of the attack. King Jehoshaphat changed his focus, called to action and declared a fasting to seek God in prayer – note Jehoshaphat decided to fast not fight. We too can remain confident, slowing down the mind and soul to seek the Lord during troubled times if we choose to use our voice in prayer, instead of complaining. In this prayer Jehoshaphat remembers who God is, he remembers what God has done and calls God back to remember His covenant with his great, great grandfather, King Solomon. Ending the prayer in an epic fashion saying “Lord we know don’t what to do, we don’t have a great strategy, and we don’t have the ability. Lord, we don’t know what to do but our eyes are upon you (verse 12).  Following this we read the response of God through the prophet telling the people not to be afraid or discouraged. They can go out tomorrow in confidence for God is with them.

This leads me to the second point I shared, with the confidence of God’s presence King Jehoshaphat led the people to march in worship, not weapons. Jehoshaphat in verse 21 “appointed singers to walk ahead of the arm, singing to the Lord and praising Him for His holy splendor.” The people were surrounded by three armies yet they marched in worship for they were uplifted in faith following the fasting and prayer, knowing God was going to fight their battle.

This week will you sing in the face of the enemy despite all that is going on around you? Yes, you are surrounded by great and many things, yet God is telling you do not be alarmed for you are also surrounded in Him. God is calling us to sing in the middle of our storms and remember who He is despite all that is going on around us.