Yesterday I told you that I’ve been in a season of not reaching out. More than that, I’ve withdrawn from pretty much everyone I’m not in daily communication with. Yesterday morning while listening to a podcast on my way to work (Grace for Times of Trouble), I began to wonder what was going on with me. There’s really nothing in particular going on…except that in our Bible study we’ve been studying spiritual warfare. After listening to the message I read the following post from Dr. Charles Stanley and had an “ah ha moment”. I’ve been internalizing and just “getting along” instead of turning my attention to seeking the Lord. Even if we aren’t facing large armies against us and it’s just the little things in life that get to us, our focus needs to remain on Him. “…nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” (2 Chron. 20:12)

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Everyone faces challenges in life. Whether our struggles are financial, vocational, relational, or physical, we can be certain that nobody is exempt. Fortunately, we serve a God who is both interested in our problems and able to take care of them.

When trouble looms, prayer is always a good first step to take. But having a foundation upon which to build our prayers also makes a difference. Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah, faced an enormous challenge. Three different tribes–the Moabites, Amonites, and Meunites–simultaneously waged war against him. Most leaders would have crumbled under such pressure, or at the very least taken drastic measures, but Jehoshaphat was a wise king. Though afraid, he did not strike out against his enemies. Instead, knowing that God was interested in his dilemma, he ‘turned his attention to seek the Lord’ and proclaimed a fast throughout the land (2 Chron. 20:1-4).

Jehoshaphat also knew that God, who was greater than any earthly problem, had done miraculous things for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Daniel. That same God would help him, too, in his hour of need. We should never underestimate the Lord’s interest in our affairs. He helped our ancestors in the Bible, and He can and will help His children today.

It’s easy to think our problems are unimportant in the eyes of God, but He doesn’t feel that way at all. Whatever concerns us concerns Him. If we, like Jehoshaphat, turn right to God and proclaim His power, He will intervene. And no matter how great our challenges are, God is greater.