READING: 1 Kings 22:10-28, 2 Chronicles 18:9-27, 1 Kings 22:29-35, 2 Chronicles 18:28-34, 1 Kings 22:36-40, 51-53; 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:30
There are times when we need to hear the Lord’s word to us more than once. A lot of times, actually.
Sometimes our minds are distracted by worry, and we don’t hear the Lord clearly because we’re not listening well. At other times, the “noise” around us in our busy lives hinders our hearing. In still other times, we think we’ve figured out the answer already—so we don’t need to hear from the Lord. Today, though, our reading adds another reason we must hear from God more than once: sometimes His plans don’t make much sense to us.
Three armies had allied against King Jehoshaphat and his forces. The king cried out to God with prayer and fasting, and God gave a battle plan to the prophet Jahaziel. That plan? “Tomorrow march down against them. . . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you” (2 Chron 20:16-17). That plan surely seemed strange to the people. Who would have thought their response was to march out to the enemies and do nothing?
Perhaps that’s why the Lord through the prophet said twice to the people: “Do not be afraid or discouraged.” God’s plan was unusual, but He loved His people enough to drive home twice the point of His presence among them. He knew they needed to hear it more than once.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What would keep you from hearing the Lord’s voice today?
DAILY PRAYER: “Lord, give me faith to trust You today. Tell me more than once when I need to hear You again.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 1:1-18, 2 Kings 3:1-27, 1 Kings 22:41-49, 2 Chronicles 20:31-37, 1 Kings 22:50, 2 Chronicles 21:1-4, 2 Kings 8:16-22, 2 Chronicles 21:5-7
