2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat receives crushing news of an impending attack by a great multitude. He’s afraid. He responds by turning his attention to seek the Lord. He proclaims a fast. He leads in humble, dependent waiting before God: “All Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives and their children” (v. 13).
THEN… after the seeking… after the fasting… after the gathering of the people together to pray… THEN… while the king and all the people were standing before the Lord with their infants, their wives and their children… THEN the Lord spoke. THEN the Spirit came upon the prophet Jahaziel with these famous words, “You will not have to fight in this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”
Lord, do I turn my attention to seek You when crushing news arrives? Or do I begin to work on solutions? Or do I give up? Do I lead out in fasting? Do I lead my family and my people in this sort of dependent, humble waiting before You? Do I “remain” before You – standing with infants, wives and children – in expectant waiting for You to act?