Yesterday in Crisis
Counsels we considered the story of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah in the ninth
century B.C., who faced an enormous crisis when his country was invaded by an
outside power. His first and central response was to look to God in faith,
trusting that in all times God is at work with power. His prayer, which he
uttered in the temple in Jerusalem, is found in II Chronicles chapter 20.

In the middle of the prayer, Jehoshaphat says, “If
disaster comes upon us, the sword or pestilence or famine, we will stand before
this house and before You, and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear
and save.” (II Chronicles 20:9)

Jehoshaphat was threatened by “the sword,” but it is
notable that he also mentions “pestilence,” exactly what threatens us! His
prayer provides solid spiritual guidance no matter what “disaster” we face – We will stand before You and cry to You in
our distress, and You will hear and save.

A unique feature of our situation is that we cannot even
go to “God’s house” like Jehoshaphat did, since we are moving to livestreamed
rather than in-person worship. Yet we benefit from the virtual connections made
possible by modern technology, so that we can join all the more in the
spiritual movement that Jehoshaphat describes – to call to God in our distress,
trusting in God’s saving help.

We do not know exactly how this crisis will unfold, but
we stand with Jehoshaphat in faith, looking to God to uphold us and direct our
actions, and having the assurance that we are not alone.

Prayer:
We cry to You, O Lord, in our distress, trusting that You are a God who hears
and saves.