14^th October

“Tomorrow, march out against them. . . . . But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

2 Chronicles 20:16a, 17

The three most common words heard among Christians in times of crisis are: “Lord, do something!” It is totally against our nature as human beings to stand still and do nothing when we face perplexing trials. In fact, waiting patiently for God to act is probably the most difficult thing about the Christian walk. Even devoted believers panic when the Lord doesn’t move according to their timetable. We constantly give God deadlines and time limits. We cry, “Lord, when are you going to do something about this? How long will it take? If you don’t act now, it will be too late!” But God is never too late. He always acts – and not according to our schedule, but His.¹

Yet again God proved that victory is in Him and in His time when He again protected the Nation of Israel from their foes. With enemies quickly approaching King Jehoshaphat and the Israelites, the only thing the helpless King could do was to cry out to God to once again save His people. “We do not know what to do but we are looking to You for help” (Verse 12b). Yet again God showed how much He loved His people but giving them victory over their enemies without the Israelites even having to fight. He proved that in His time, in His way and His order, He will give His people victory; All they needed to do was to stand still and see God’s victory.

Friends that is the God we serve. Victory is already won in Him. All we need to do is receive it, walk in it and live it out in our lives. Yet above all we must remember that God always acts in His time, because He is always fully in control. Our role is to be patient in prayer, steadfast in our faith and bold in our trust. Watch and see God’s victory!