Trusting God in our Fears
I admit that lately, I have had to work a little harder than usual to keep my brave face on. Honestly, some days I feel more fear than faith and a lot more anxiety than rest. If left unchecked, worst-case-scenarios can swirl around my mind creating quite the storm. However, there is a story in 2 Chronicles 20 that fills me with hope. It is a story about putting faith over fear, of choosing to trust God rather than circumstances. This is a story I need to hear today!
A huge army was coming to defeat Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. They were outnumbered. The outcome didn’t look good. Jehoshaphat was afraid but he didn’t wallow in what-ifs and let his fear take control. He set his face to seek the Lord (v. 3).
I love verse 12, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You!” When we are afraid is the perfect time to put our faith into action, to lean on God and trust that He will tell us what to do; to believe that He can make a way where there seems to be no way (Isaiah 43: 19).
God answered Jehoshaphat. “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s” (v. 15). Does anyone else need to hear this today? It doesn’t matter how big the enemy is or how insignificant or ill-equipped we may feel. The battle is God’s and He has no rivals! “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.” (Psalm 20:7 – 8)
They believed God and worshiped Him even before they were rescued from the enemy. Were they still afraid? Probably, but they sang anyway. They shifted their fearful what-ifs to thankful even-ifs. Even if You slay me, yet I will hope in You (Job 13: 15). Even if you don’t keep us from the fire, yet we will worship you (Daniel 3: 17 – 18). Even if famine comes and I have nothing, yet I will rejoice in the LORD (Habakkuk 3: 17 – 18).
We see in this story that God moved in their praises. “And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush for the enemy.” (v. 22) Their joy returned and God gave them rest (v. 27, 30).
So, when fear begins to rise within me, like Jehoshaphat, I will seek God and praise HIm. My praise is not based on best-case-scenarios, but on the character and promises of God. No matter how intimidating my circumstances, God has done great things before, and I believe He will do it again.
