FAITH CAPSULE: Failure not to ask and wait or watch and pray leads to missing God’s attention.
2 Chronicles 20
Praying is asking, watching is waiting. Elijah killed the prophets of Baals and needed to run from Jezebel. Elijah prayed and watched by asking from God and patiently waited for revelation. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah prayed as recorded, “And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” After praying he waited by watching for the command of God which said to him, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind…” (1 Kings 19:11) The testimony of watching and praying (asking and waiting) is evident in Elijah. Seeking God in times of challenging will replace fear by faith. Elijah watched and prayed (asked and waited) for direction that elevated him above the threat of Jezebel. When the fear of confronting challenge leads man to seek another man, disappointment answers.
Man that seeks God’s face by watching and praying (asking and waiting) is the man that takes a position of undeniable victory. King Jehoshaphat another example sought God by praying while watching for God’s intervention during confronting challenge. Jehoshaphat prayed to God and got response as stated, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17) Watching and praying to God is seeking for direction. It is important to understand and know that your challenge is not beyond God.
Fear made Jehoshaphat watched and prayed (asked and waited) as God revealed victory. The fear of Jehoshaphat led to a faithful victory because the Lord fought the battle on behalf of the children of Israel. It is written, “And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.”(2Chronicles 20:29-30) Take your challenge to God for Him to fight on your behalf.
Prayer for today: Ask for the grace of asking and waiting for God’s intervention in all areas of life.