Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Monday, 20 April 2015 - "God, Our Eyes Are On You" Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1 Some time later, the people of Mo’av and the people of ‘Amon with other ‘Amonim came up to fight Y’hoshafat. 2 Y’hoshafat was told, “A huge army from beyond the [Dead] Sea, from Aram, is on its way to fight you; right now they are in Hatzatzon-Tamar” (that is, ‘Ein-Gedi). 3 Y’hoshafat was frightened, so he determined to seek Adonai. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Y’hudah, 4 and Y’hudah assembled to seek help from Adonai; they came from all the cities of Y’hudah to seek Adonai.
"God, Our Eyes Are On You" Author: Mary Egidio
5 Standing in front of the new courtyard in the house of Adonai, among those assembled from Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, 6 he said: “Adonai, God of our ancestors, you alone are God in heaven. You rule all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and strength, so that no one can withstand you. 7 You, our God, drove out those living in the land ahead of your people Isra’el and gave it forever to the descendants of Avraham your friend. 8 They lived in it, built you a sanctuary in it for your name, and said, 9 ‘If calamity strikes us, such as war, judgment, disease or famine, we will stand before this house — that is, before you, since your name is in this house — and cry to you in our distress; and you will hear us and rescue us.’
10 “So now, see: the people of ‘Amon, Mo’av and Mount Se‘ir, whom you would not let Isra’el invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, so that they turned away from them and did not destroy them, 11 are now repaying us [evil]; they have come to throw us out of your possession, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God! Won’t you execute judgment against them? For we haven’t strength enough to defeat this huge horde coming against us, and we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
13 All Y’hudah stood before Adonai with their little ones, their wives and their children. 14 Then, in the middle of the assembly, the Spirit of Adonai came upon Yachzi’el the son of Z’kharyahu, the son of B’nayah, the son of Ye‘i’el, the son of Matanyah the Levi, from the descendants of Asaf. 15 He said, “Listen, all Y’hudah, you who live in Yerushalayim and King Y’hoshafat: here is what Adonai is saying to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or distressed by this great horde; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, go down against them. They will be coming up by the ascent of Tzitz, and you will find them at the end of the vadi, before the Yeru’el Desert. 17 You won’t even need to fight this battle! Just take your positions, Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, stand still, and watch how Adonai will deliver you! Don’t be afraid or distressed; tomorrow, go out against them; for Adonai is with you.’”
18 Y’hoshafat bowed his head with his face to the ground; while all Y’hudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim fell down before Adonai, worshipping Adonai; 19 and the L’vi’im from the descendants of the K’hati and the descendants of the Korchi, stood up and praised Adonai the God of Isra’el at the top of their voices.
RG AUDIO 042015Anyone who has lived on this earth for any period of time has experienced it. It’s that moment when the ground seems to give way beneath us and our knees become weak. It usually happens in an instant–a phone call, a knock on the door, a doctor’s diagnosis–but the effect lasts much longer. It can be the end of a much-loved job, the loss of a loved one, the rebellion of a child, news of an illness, or any one of a number of traumatic events.
Imagine God’s people in the land of Judah, hearing that vast armies were heading their way, bent on their destruction. Were they weak in the knees? No doubt. Frightened? Surely. However, the Scripture tells us they came from all over to seek God. They knew He was the only source of help and salvation in the midst of traumatic times.
Our God is with us in the midst of the very worst situation this life can throw at us. Sometimes He takes the problem away entirely, other times He walks through it with us. Either way, He can be trusted.
Hymn for Today: "Resting on God's Abiding Presence and the Promises of His Word" by Ken Puls, 2000
1. Lord, as I begin to wake,
Just as I become aware,
Draw my waking thoughts to You;
Stir my heart to praise and prayer.
Then as I arise from sleep,
Stand to face another day,
Let Your Word be my delight,
Guiding all I do and say.
2. Help me, Lord to meditate
And apply the truth I know;
As I preach to my own soul,
Grant that I may heed and grow.
As I walk throughout this day,
Help me cast away all fear;
Let me not forget or doubt
Your abiding presence near.
3. When the day gets busy, Lord,
Let my walk not stray from You;
Fix my heart and mind and will
On Your promises anew.
Many times throughout this day
Bring remembrance of Your Word.
Guard my heart from unbelief;
Keep my faith in You, O Lord.
4. When temptations rise and rage
Show me, Lord, the way to flee;
Lest I fall, teach me to pray:
Lord, uphold and strengthen me.
Ever, Lord, You are with me!
Keep this truth before my eyes.
May it guard my path from sin,
Comfort me and make me wise.
5. Lord, You are my joy and strength,
Through each hour, in ev'ry place.
Be there happiness or grief,
You uphold me by Your grace.
And when I lie down to sleep,
Lift my heart again to pray;
Let my thoughts to You return
In thanksgiving end the day
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