Day 39
God Is Sovereign
When I’m Overwhelmed
Read your Bible: 2 Chronicles 20:1–12
Spotlight Verse:
“You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”2 Chronicles 20:6b NLT
God is bigger.
That is a sentence that is always true.
No matter what you are talking about or comparing Him to, God is bigger. God is bigger than your opponents. God is bigger than your worries. God is bigger than the problem you are facing.
But you might not always live like this is true.
Ever feel outnumbered by problems and stresses?
Then you’ll relate to the king in today’s Scripture reading. It’s part of a fascinating story: Three nations, enemies of Israel, band together to bring down King Jehoshaphat. Ironically, these are the very three countries that the Israelites had been ordered by God to treat well — to never fight against. And now they’re paying the Israelites back for their kindness with treachery of the worst sort.
You may relate. You may feel like problems are ganging up on you. You may be terrified, like Jehoshaphat.
What’s been your strategy so far? Lying awake at night worrying? Lashing out in anger? Thinking non-stop about your problems? Trying to escape from them through amusement or substances?
How are those strategies working out for you?
Why not try Jehoshaphat’s strategy?
The king of Israel is terrified, and calls a giant prayer meeting. In front of everyone, he admits his fear. And he appeals to one thing: God’s sovereignty.
There was a lot of hoopla a couple years ago over the intriguing prayer of Jabez in the Bible, and I do love that biblical character’s apparent godly ambition. But I find the prayer of Jehoshaphat much more compelling. It’s just more relevant to my life! He says, God, we cannot handle this. But you are in control.
What You Do With Fear
As someone said, the problem is not your fear. Your problem is what you do with your fear.
When you feel overwhelmed, do you let that destabilize you, depress you, and discourage you? Or like Jehoshaphat, do you admit your fear and lay it at the feet of the sovereign God?
I like what Rick Warren wrote on a Facebook post:53
Never let an impossible situation intimidate you. Let it motivate you. Let it motivate you to pray more. Let it motivate you to trust more.
After Jehoshaphat prays, the Spirit of the Lord gives a pep talk through one of the guys in the crowd, quite unexpectedly. A man named Jahaziel stands up and says,
This is what the Lord says: “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s!” 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NLT)
The people are so inspired that they end up putting together a worship service rather than a battle plan. And as it turns out, the three enemy armies end up destroying each other, for reasons that remain a mystery to the Israelites. When all is said and done, they do not have to lift a single weapon in battle!
The Prayer of Jehoshaphat
If you feel outmatched and outnumbered today, do a Jehoshaphat: Remind yourself that God is bigger. Say with the king…
You alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! Your faithful love endures forever!
Tomorrow: More stories of how God helped someone surrounded by enemies!
God is… bigger.
Questions For Reflection
What intrigues, inspires, or interests you about
2 Chronicles 20:1–12?
Can you relate to Jehoshaphat? Is there an area in
your life where you are afraid and feel overwhelmed?
Is there an area where you hesitate to trust God’s
sovereignty over your life?
Today pray the prayer of Jehoshaphat!
