READING: 2 Chronicles 18-22
If you’ve read these devotions for some time, you know 2 Chronicles 20:12 is one of my favorite, challenging, most “turned to” passages in all the Bible. When King Jehoshaphat faced three allied forces, he admitted to God his sense of powerlessness and cluelessness as battle awaited. At the same time, though—and this step is most important—he locked his eyes on God for guidance. That’s always the best approach to take.
Today, here are some reasons I need to keep my eyes on Him:
- I don’t know what the future holds as I begin to think about the back end of my ministry—and I have questions.
- The older I get, the wearier I get physically—and I must turn to Him moment-by-moment to find my strength.
- I have non-believing friends and loved ones for whom I’ve been praying a long time—and God’s seeming delay is challenging my faith.
- Sometimes life’s obligations are overwhelming—and it feels like the mountain is too high to climb.
- It seems the enemy and his forces are winning the battles around us—and I can get distracted by his victories even though I know he will not win.
- I can function far too easily in my own strength—and my eyes are not on Him in those moments.
So, today I need to repeat over and over again Jehoshaphat’s words: “We do not know what to do, but we look to you” (2 Chron 20:12). How about you? In what areas of your life today must you turn your eyes to God?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What is your answer to the question above?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, help me always to look to You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Chronicles 23-25