POWERLESS

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

With the Blizzard Jonas impacting the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, there were power outages due to the storm that left people without a utility upon which most have become dependent for light, heat, refrigeration, etc. The same held true for the hundreds of vehicles, covering several miles, that were snowbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and unable to move. To some lesser degree, many of us have experienced the inconvenience of power failure and a personal sense of helplessness to do anything about it.

In the ebb and flow of life, there are different situations that arise that leave us with the sense that it is beyond our capacity to either prevent or correct what is occurring. An example of this is shared from Biblical History in II Chronicles 20. Three armies of rogue nations have formed an alliance to wage war against Judah and Jerusalem. Their singular goal is to annihilate – utterly destroy the people and nation. The Chapter begins this a very sobering assessment and action: “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” As the people assemble together, King Jehoshaphat leads them with this prayer: “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 

If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save…We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” Does God hear His people when they cry out to Him in their fear and desperation? Will God do anything in their behalf? In verse 13-17, the Lord’s answer is stated through Jehaziel who speaks prophetically: “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat. Thus says the Lord to you: Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” The King and people are then told: “Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley… You will not need to fight in this battle. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

When the King and people come to the overview of the battlefield, “They looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much…And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.” Is our God and Savior the same yesterday, today and forever? Yes, He is! If we come seeking Him, will we find Him if we search for Him with all our heart? Yes (Jeremiah 29:13)! If this is true, and it is, why are we so hesitant or reluctant to seek refuge and help from Him in all things at all times? When we are afraid, powerless and don’t know what to do, we should remember He is our continuing hope and all-sufficient Deliverer! Consider these things with me!