2 Chronicles 20 - 4.28.25
Scripture
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV
“He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Observation
The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against King Jehoshaphat. King Jehoshaphat was feeling a bit overwhelmed and terrified over this planned attack. So what was King Jehoshaphat’s first plan of action?..He begged God for guidance and called on the people to fast and pray (verses 3 & 4). Then while the people of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered together seeking God, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel. And through Jahaziel, God spoke to the people. He told them, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Application
Is something in your life troubling you and you don’t know what to do? Seek God’s help!
I love how King Jehoshaphat’s first response after feeling threatened and terrified was to seek God’s help. He called the people to fast and pray. He could have easily panicked and tried to form alliances with other kingdoms so he could fight his enemies or he could have cowardly surrendered to his foes in defeat. But, King Jehoshaphat remembered God’s faithfulness. He remembered God’s covenant with the people of Israel. He remembered that his God was mighty and powerful! Once he realized that, God answered his prayers. King Jehoshaphat found comfort knowing that the battle was not his to fight, it was God’s.
We could all learn from King Jehoshaphat here. If trouble comes our way and we feel our problems closing in on us, seek God first! We can tend to forget that sometimes. We could seek other avenues for help and refuge from these world’s problems, but we need to remember that we have God on our side. He is mighty 💪🏽 and He is awesome! Trust in Him and allow Him to fight our battles for us.
“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” -Exodus 14:14
“For the Lord your God will fight for you.’” -Deuteronomy 3:22b
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for always being on my side. Thank You for Your faithfulness and goodness. You are always watching over Your children, keeping them safe and out of harms way. May I always be reminded of that. May You be the first One I seek when times are rough. May You be the first One I seek when times are good. You oh Lord, are with me through it all and I praise You. Be my place of refuge and source of strength today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Psalm 84 - 4.25.25
Scripture: Psalm 84:10-12
10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Observation
The sons of Korah are singing a song celebrating the joy of fellowship with God, our Creator, the maker of the heavens and the earth. The Living God who loves and adores us. The God that our soul longs to be close to. The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Our God who provides and protects us. The psalmist expresses their deep desire for God’s presence and service, that even a humble position in God’s house is better than worldly riches and luxury.
Application
Psalms like these are reminders to us of the things that really matter in our lives. What is value to you? Where do you want to be? With whom would you wish to spend your life with? Even a moment in the presence of God is far greater than a lifetime spent apart from Him. How small we are and how Great is our God. I would rather serve God in a lowly position, feel His love and presence in my life than hangout with people who are Godless and evil. When you seek Him with all our heart and walk in His ways, He will open the windows of heaven to bless you. He blesses us with ALL good things. The one who trusts in Him is greatly blessed. We can walk with Him knowing that He is in us and that He will never leave or forsake us. A moment with Him is better than an eternity without Him.
This psalm is a powerful statement about the importance of seeking God’s presence and prioritizing spiritual values over worldly attractions.
Prayer
Dear Lord, our soul longs to be in your presence! Help us to remember that one day in your presence is so much more than time spent in the world. Help us to prioritize our time so we are able to spend time with you everyday dwelling in your presence. Help us to remember that our strength comes from you and the more we lean into you, the stronger we become. All the blessings in our life comes from you. There is nothing better in life than being in the presence of God and dwelling under the shadow of Your wings. I love you Lord with all my heart and soul!
- Michelle Craig
Acts 12 - 4.24.25
Acts 12:6-7
S – 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
O – The spread of Christianity was on the rise and King Herod began to arrest and persecute many Christians. Herod had already arrested and executed James, brother of John. That had met with approval among the Jews so he then had Peter arrested during the Passover celebration. This was a strategic move, since more Jews were in the city than usual, and Herod could impress the most people. Herod’s plan undoubtedly was to execute Peter, but the believers were praying for Peter’s safety. The earnest prayer of the church significantly affected the outcome of these events. Prayer changes things (everything in fact), so pray often and with confidence!
A – I loved the series Pastor did on Not so Suddenly. Pastor Katie kicked us off in January with the first sermon in the series, which was titled, “Prayer Paves the Way.” There are always some things that happen which paves the way/prepares the way for God to move. Then there is that suddenly moment when we get to see God in action. These suddenly moments usually follow our prayers. Those prayers may go on for days, months and/or years. In my own life, my husband and I had prayed for a baby. The first pregnancy came fairly quickly and ended just as abruptly with an ectopic pregnancy. We grieved, we prayed, we trusted God to bring us another baby. This time took 4 years and two more miscarriages…..then SUDDENLY, we were pregnant with Dominick. We were in the middle of 28-day prayer and fast and I was done. I told God, I’m sorry but please close the door for us or open it because I just couldn’t bear the pain anymore. I read a scripture that prompted me to run and take a pregnancy test and then…..Suddenly I was pregnant! Suddenly the trajectory of our lives changed forever! The good, the bad, and all the in between LOL. God had, and always does, have a plan. We are not in control of God’s plan for our lives and our only responsibility is to continue to abide in Him, worship Him, trust Him, and pray to Him. His timing is never our timing, so we need to patiently wait….
Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV) 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it[a] will certainly come
and will not delay.
…and then SUDDENLY! What are you waiting for? What are you doing in the waiting period? Are you serving God? Worshipping Him? Tithing? Being generous and loving on others? He may be waiting for YOU to do something on your end before He moves, or it could just be that He is paving the way behind the scenes so that when you get what you are waiting for, you are ready for it and His timing will be perfect! Just because we want something so badly doesn’t mean we are ready for it. Let the author of your life tell you when you are ready : )
P – Thank you Jesus that your timing is always perfect for us because you have a plan and a purpose for each one of our lives. I thank you that in the waiting you are teaching me things, you are growing my walk with you, my maturity in You, and using me in ways that benefit your people and your kingdom. May I not focus on the things I am waiting for, but be productive for the kingdom while I am waiting. Help me to become more like you as I wait so that I am ready to receive your blessings and use them for your good! And when they come….suddenly…help me to always be in awe and live a life filled with gratitude! Amen!
- Crystal Flory