The Lord Rules Over All

The Inescapable God
God Reveals
2 Chronicles 20:5-12 (The Message)
 ^5-9 Then Jehoshaphat took a position before the assembled people of Judah and Jerusalem at The Temple of God in front of the new courtyard and said, "O God, God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven above and ruler of all kingdoms below? You hold all power and might in your fist—no one stands a chance against you! And didn't you make the natives of this land leave as you brought your people Israel in, turning it over permanently to your people Israel, the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived here and built a holy house of worship to honor you, saying, 'When the worst happens—whether war or flood or disease or famine—and we take our place before this Temple (we know you are personally present in this place!) and pray out our pain and trouble, we know that you will listen and give victory.'
 ^10-12 "And now it's happened: men from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir have shown up. You didn't let Israel touch them when we got here at first—we detoured around them and didn't lay a hand on them. And now they've come to kick us out of the country you gave us. O dear God, won't you take care of them? We're helpless before this vandal horde ready to attack us. We don't know what to do; we're looking to you."


For Reflection
 
OK! I guess it's time for some controversy.  I have been reading an historical novel about the revolutionary war that centered on a specific battle in Maine. It struck me that both sides, the British and the Americans, evoked the name of God as their champion.  Each was convinced that the same God was on their side. Could it be possible that even though the British lost, both could be right?  Could it be that the American experiment in governance and justice was worth the human sacrifice on all sides?  The UK and the US have reconciled and the United States has been a benchmark for the world.  Can we, like the old testament writers, see God's hand in the Revolutionary War?  Where is God's hand in the present conflict? Does God take sides?

Now we feel helpless before the threat  against a peaceful and just world by war lords in many nations, some of whom evoke the name of God as their champion.  As God's children, how do we respond?

Pray
to be able to see God's will.  Pray that you trust in the will of God even though you are not able to understand it.  Pray to trust in the saving Grace. Pray for God's call and listen to His instruction.