God's Help
We will stand in your presence . . .
and will cry out to you in our distress. 2 Chronicles 20:9
The kingdom of Israel was divided after Rehoboam came to the throne and refused to lift the tax burden his father, Solomon, had imposed. Jeroboam, who led the revolt, set up his own kingdom, the Northern Kingdom of Israel, whose capital was Samaria. The Southern Kingdom, Judah, continued to be ruled by the house of David with its capital in Jerusalem. In today’s Bible passage, we read about Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of Judah. In 2 Chronicles 17:3–4, we learn that “the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he . . . sought the God of his father and followed His commands.” In the hour of his nation's peril, king Jehoshaphat called on his people to fast and pray.
When the king learned that a vast army was coming against him, he called God’s people to pray and fast. The people reminded God how He had saved them in times past. And Jehoshaphat said that if calamity came upon them, “whether the sword of judgement, or plague or famine,” they would cry out to God, knowing that He would hear and save them (2 Chronicles 20:9).
God did hear their cry, and did rescue His people from the invading armies, and He hears us when we cry out to Him in distress. Whatever your concern, whether a relationship issue or something threatening from the natural world, lift it to God in prayer. Nothing is too hard for Him. .
Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 20:5–12, 15.
Prayer
My Creator God, You made the world and all that is in it. Thank You, that You are real help and comfort in times of need. In Christ's name. Amen.
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