On Whom/What are Your Eyes Set Upon?

 

Jehoshaphat, Asa's son, succeeded his father as king of Judah (2nd Chronicles 17:1).  Just like his father, he walked in the ways of God (2nd Chron 17:3).

He demonstrated great dependence on God by inquiring of Him in various situations.  For example, in 2^nd Chronicles 18, king Ahab (king of Israel) invited king Jehoshaphat to go to battle with him against Ramoth Gilead.  King Jehoshaphat response was, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”  Secondly, he rid the land of Asherah poles and set his heart to seeking God (2^nd Chron 19:3).  In addition, he influenced and directed the people of Judah to seek and fear God.  For example, in 2^nd Chron 19:7 he instructed the judges he appointed in the land to fear God and to ensure that they serve without injustice, partiality and bribery; in 2^nd Chron 20:3, he proclaimed a fast for all Judah so that they could inquire of God.

In 2^nd Chron 20, the Moabites and Ammonites, in collaboration with some Meunites decided to make war against king Jehoshophat.  This was at a time when Jehoshaphat’s kingdom had been strengthed and was well established (2^nd Chron 17:10-13).  Jehoshaphat could have chosen to immediately marshal his army and lead them to the battle field, but he did not.  He could have chosen to seek out a military alliance with his allies in order to secure a larger army and weaponry against his enemies, but he did not.  His response is outstanding: he resolved to inquire of the Lord and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah (2^nd Chron 20:3).  Despite his success, abilities and strengths, the king of Judah understood that he was nothing apart from God (John 15:1-5).

The prayer made by king Jehoshaphat as he inquired of the Lord in 2^nd Chron 20:5-12 reveals his heart’s condition.   He began by acknowledging who God is: Ruler over all kingdoms and nations; power and might are in His hands; and no one can withstand Him.  The king went further to remember what God had done in the past: He drove out the inhabitants of the land in which the Israelites had possessed; He enabled them to build a sanctuary and chose to dwell in it.  Thirdly, he remembered God’s promise made at the dedication of the temple by king Solomon: God had promised that whenever the Israelites would stand in His presence before the temple and cry out to Him in distress, He would hear them and save them.  The conclusion of king Jehoshaphat’s prayer is notable: We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.

What a powerful prayer!  In summary, King Jehoshaphat was saying: Lord we acknowledge you alone are God who is comparable to no other, we have seen your works, we remember your promises, and in this situation we are in, You are our only help.  God loves such a surrendered heart, and this prayer must have moved God’s heart.  God’s response in 2^nd Chron 20:14-17 clearly shows that God was pleased by Jehoshaphat’s dependence on Him: Do not b afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not have to fight 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.

On what or on whom are your eyes set upon?

Similarly, David repeatedly exhibits a lifestyle of focusing and depending on God.  For example, in Psalms 141:8, he says, But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge.  Also Psalms 121:1-2 states: I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  It is a great tragedy to be in a place where we depend on our wisdom, talents, abilities, social networks, financial capability, experience, skills, career etc. to make decisions and run our lives.  All these are false pillars to lean on; the sure pillar that holds our lives together is Jesus Christ.   God is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17).

Proverbs 3:5 instructs us to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, to lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways to acknowledge God, and He will direct our paths.  To absolutely depend on God, we need to:

•  Trust God
• Acknowledge that His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.  Our wisdom is His foolishness.

Having inquired and heard from God, King Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him, as the people of Judah marched behind the singers to the battle field.  They marched on singing, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”  Human wisdom demanded that they employ a more serious and result oriented military strategy.  God’s wisdom demanded that they praise Him in the battle field.  They followed God’s way and the results were divine: As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah and they were defeated.  The men of Ammon and Moab rose against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped destroy one another.  When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked towards the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped (2^nd Chron 20:22-24).  As they raised praises to God and marched towards the battle field, the armies of their enemies were destroying each other!  By the time they got to the battle ground, the battle had been fought and won!

Purpose to set your eyes on God, for in Him is all we need for life and godliness.

Join me in making this prayer:

Lord, I pray that you may forgive me for in the past, I have leaned on my own understanding and followed the wisdom of men.  I pray that you teach me to depend on you in all aspects of my life.  As I do so, may I be radiant; may my face never be covered with shame.  Amen.