The Tree Church Daily

I’m a planner, organizer, doer of things. I like things just right, just so. I like to overthink and outdo. I love to serve people, for them to feel blessed, loved, cared for. When we are having a gathering at our house, I run around and make sure everything is perfectly placed and clean, and we have an abundance of food (food is my love language). I’m a people-pleaser, which in turn finds me signed up for much more than I bargained for. I want my kids to have and be happy. I want my husband to feel so loved.

I am a Martha.

You know that story of Mary and Martha? The one where Mary sits at Jesus’s feet while Martha runs around to make everything just right (Luke 10:38-42)? That’s me. Hands up if this is you, too!

Oh, sweet friends, don’t reluctantly put your hands up as if it’s negative to be a Martha. The world needs Martha’s! We are the organizers. We are the ones to jump in and get things done. We plan and facilitate. God made us specifically and uniquely this way. BUT...are we distracted by the doing, and miss Jesus in the moment? Are we caught up in the checklist and priorities, and aren’t being still at His feet, soaking in His Word?

In the story, Martha is preparing her house because, I mean c’mon, the Son of God is there! Everything had to be just right. She says to Jesus (and I’m using my own words here), “Aren’t you going to tell my sister to help me? She’s just sitting there!” And I love how Jesus responds to her because I totally hear Him say it to me daily: “Martha, Martha” (or Abbey, Abbey).

He lovingly says her name twice. He says only one thing is needed, and that this moment will not be taken away from Mary by doing. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get so caught up in what needs done that I need Jesus to say my name twice, to get my focus and remind me to stop. If I don’t, then I miss Jesus in the moment. I have to say “yes” to things, to doing, but also say “no” when it means I may miss Jesus. We can be both a Mary AND a Martha.

Let’s think on these things this week:

1. What am I saying yes to (even if they’re good things), that prevent me or distract me from Jesus?

2. How can I prioritize my time to be a Mary and sit at His feet?

3. Have a great week, friends. I’ll be praying that you get a lot accomplished by doing AND sitting at His feet!

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34 (ESV)

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Explanation:

Scribes were well versed in the law. They knew the law very well, and were continually questioning Jesus and His interpretation of the law. The question they presented to Jesus was one that the scribes disagreed on. The question posed to Jesus was, “What is the greatest commandment?” What is the most important thing for us to remember and to do? I think Jesus’s response was not what they were expecting. Jesus tells them that loving God is most important, because from it everything else will line up.

When we choose to love God first, we put Him as the priority. When He is the priority, everything else in our lives flows from it. When we choose to love God first, He helps us love our neighbor, our friends, our family, and others well. When we choose to love God first, the fruit of the Spirit becomes more evident in our lives. When we love God with everything we have, it changes us from the inside out. He works in our lives and it becomes evident in our thoughts and our actions. When we love God well, it helps us become more like Him, and long to live according to His ways. Jesus knew this, which is why He tells us that loving God with our everything really is the best place to start, because it will cause life change in us.

Application:

1. What does it mean for you personally to love God first?

2. Are there any areas in your life that need to change in order to love God fully with all your heart, soul, and mind?

3. How would your life and behaviors change if you choose to love God first with all your being?

Prayer Prompt:

As you spend time in prayer today, ask God to open your mind to areas where you could show more and deeper love. Ask Him to help you make loving Him your top priority. And as you do, allow Him to help you make the necessary changes to become more like Him.

Devo Plus:

Check out another account of this story in Matthew 22:34-40.

Luke 9:57-62 (NIV)

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Explanation:

Let’s just say it, it is hard to follow Jesus. Following Jesus’s example is challenging and can be downright inconvenient to our own agenda. Our natural way of thinking holds us back from understanding what God truly wants. In the passage above, we see many people wanting to follow Him, but despite their best intentions, earthly things keep them from doing so. For some, it's pleasure, for some it’s time, for some it’s responsibilities to their families. All good things, but all things Jesus is aware can distract us from following Him.

Every day in our lives, we make choices to serve. If we choose to say YES to God, it may be difficult, but it is our only chance for spiritual growth. If we trust Him, the blessings He gives us far outweighs any inconveniences we may experience. You may ask why God requires this level of commitment from all of us who want to serve Him. Well, the level of generosity, compassion, and love that Jesus wants us to experience is unnatural for us.

Denying ourselves seems like an invasion of our core being, but He is talking about changing from the inside out. Following Him should create an open-handed mentality, creating freedom from possessions that leads to radical generosity.

Jesus’ call can seem impossible and laborious, but the blessings He gives us, far outweigh any inconveniences. Jesus is the way of peace, hope, joy, and life, but it costs everything to truly get it. So, where does your treasure lie? In heaven or on earth?

Application:

1. What is holding you back from serving God? Time? Money? Read what God has to say about trusting in His provisions in Luke 12:1-12.

2. What do you think would be different in your life if you made Christ a priority? If you have a moment, jot down in your journal what would change if you started making Him a priority today, next week, next month...

3. How has the busyness of your clutter kept you apart from Christ? How can you improve it? Take some time today, or this week to pray how you can get closer to God. (tip: put it in your calendar)

Prayer Prompt:

Lord, show me my heart, so I can give You all the parts of my life. Guide me so I may understand what I need to do to serve You. And give me the strength to act on your request. It’s in your heavenly name we pray, Amen.

Devo Plus:

For more examples of service to the Lord, read Colossians 3:23-24, Mark 12:28-30, 1 Timothy 1:12.

Luke 14:16-24 (ESV)

But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So, the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”

Explanation:

Today, we see Jesus teach a parable (a simple story used to communicate a specific lesson), and this parable can produce mixed emotions in us. Jesus communicates a devastating truth: He (the man) came to invite the Jewish people (those first invited in this story) into the grace of Christ, and therefore back into relationship with God once again. Jesus did this through sending John the Baptist and His disciples, and even He attempted to engage the Jewish people. He wanted nothing more than to offer them life in God again.

The Jewish people were the nation that God historically interacted with, a nation He used to show the world who He was. He loved them dearly and tried to reestablish that relationship with them, but unfortunately, they rejected His invitation. This may not have applied to all the Jewish people, but it was enough to dishearten Jesus. The people who He always dearly loved and provided for, wanted nothing to do with Him. This love for them never changed, but Jesus turned more attention to a different set of people, the Gentiles (non-Jews) to show love and provide for them. As it says in Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus made it a point to welcome in anyone who wanted to be in a relationship with God.

As we know from our own experiences, it’s far too easy to create excuses for not pursuing a relationship with God. We can let many things get in the way of truly walking in the life that Jesus invites us into. We must be very careful not to reject this invitation by choosing to pursue anything more than we pursue our relationship with God. He is inviting you in today…go to Him and share in the “banquet” of His grace.

Application:

1. In what ways have you, like the Jewish people, ever rejected an invitation from Jesus?

2. After reading this parable, who would you say appreciated the invitation more? Why?

3. How can you start to pursue your relationship with God more intently today?

Prayer Prompt:

Jesus, thank You for the invitation to be in relationship with You. Please forgive me for rejecting Your invitation, and making anything more important than being with You. Holy Spirit, starting now, would You convict and encourage me to make You most important in my life?

Devo Plus:

Find another example in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) where Jesus communicates a concern for those who reject Him.

Acts 9:10-19 (ESV)

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.

Explanation:

Directly before this passage is Saul’s encounter with God on the road to Damascus. Saul was now blind, uncertain of what was to become of him. This would be the beginning of Saul’s ministry, when he turned from his wicked ways and became a disciple of God. But in order for this to happen, God needed to send someone else to help in the process. Ananias was the man for the job. He wasn’t a well-known prophet or disciple, but an everyday, ordinary follower of Jesus.

Ananias knew Saul’s reputation for persecuting Christians, so Ananias presented that concern to God. But God told Ananias that Paul was going to change and become an important person in the story of God. So, Ananias went to Saul just as God told him to. Ananias had a relationship with God and he trusted Him. Ananias didn’t know how everything would play out, but he knew that God knew the outcome, and because of this, Ananias trusted His leading. Ananias was obedient and went to Saul, and through Ananias, God opened Saul’s eyes so he regained his sight. Saul was then baptized, and eventually became an incredible disciple of Jesus.

God used Ananias to do something amazing and unexpected. It was through his trust and obedience that God was able to move in an incredible way and use Saul for a greater purpose. We never know what our acts of obedience will lead to, but we can stand in confidence that God is trustworthy and will honor our obedience.

Application:

1. Why is it sometimes hard to trust God when He calls us to walk in obedience?

2. How can you personally work toward trusting God more?

3. What is a step of obedience God is calling you to do?

4. What are some things you think would happen if you took that step and trusted Him?

Prayer Prompt:

God, sometimes You call me to do things that don’t make sense or things that are scary. Even in the midst of fear or the unknown, will You help me to take steps of obedience?

Even when I don’t know what the outcome will be, help me to remember that I can trust You, knowing You will be with me every step of the way. Thank You for being a God who I can trust in to see me through. Help me to trust You more every day, and take steps of obedience to build my faith in You.

Devo Plus:

Check out Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 37:5-6, and Psalm 9:10 to encourage you to trust in God more.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Explanation:

The book of Proverbs is a collection of writings called “Wisdom Literature.” The call of the entire book is to seek wisdom so that blessing and life can be found. Today’s passage speaks specifically of material wealth. Wisdom says if you do things by God’s design, then His supernatural hand will move on your behalf. On the surface, this makes logical sense. If God has the power to move in your situation, and He has designed a way for wealth to best work in your life, then HIS way of handling wealth produces the greatest abundance in your life. This may seem like a formula for wealth and prosperity, but it is so much more than that. The heart of this passage isn’t about getting more wealth, but more life…and life can be found without material possessions. This passage speaks more to the heart of where life is found. Or rather, the way life can be found. And the key starts four verses earlier…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8, ESV)

Trusting in God, doing life God’s way, is the only guarantee to life…in this world and the one to come.

Application:

1. What is one thing that stands out to you in today’s passage?

2. Think about a time when you chose to put God first and trust Him by walking in obedience. What was the result of that choice?

3. Is there a step God is asking you to take right now?

4. What is holding you back from taking the step?

Prayer Prompt:

Ask God to remind you of His intentions for you. Whatever God is asking you to put Him first in is meant to lead you into more abundant life.

Devo Plus:

Read the story of Esther found in the book of Esther. See how her trust in God led to the rescue of a nation.

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV)

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Explanation:

Our verses today are a snapshot of priorities set straight. Jesus reminds us that He knows what concerns us, using our most basic needs as an example. He reminds us that as children of God, we are to react differently to these concerns. We are to put God and His work first, especially when it doesn’t make sense, when our knee-jerk reaction is to sort it out our own way, fix what’s wrong ourselves, etc.

Interestingly, the word “seek” is used twice in these verses of Matthew, but in slightly different ways. “For the Gentiles seek after all these things (needs and desires).” This seek means to run after or to chase…lots of effort, little solution, like when a puppy chases his tail. But in verse 33, Jesus tells His followers to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” This seek means not only to desire to possess, but to desperately look for and to work to obtain. There is strategy about this seeking, a strategy that starts in the heart (your inner self) and purposefully moves toward the goal of knowing God and moving in His will.

The Gentiles, those who didn’t follow God, spent the best of their lives chasing basic needs, basic desires, basic comforts. God’s children were not to run aimlessly, but to desperately pursue and desire God first: His character, His will, and His kingdom…trusting that everything else would be provided. The beautiful dynamic here is that by God’s grace, the more we pursue God, the better we know Him, and the easier it is to trust Him with all things, including our provision, our relationships, our safety, our reputation, etc. Our faith is met with provision by Jehovah-Jireh, the “God who provides.”

Application:

1. Our worries are interesting yard sticks; they reveal what is most important to us. It could be concerns for our basic needs or worry that we won’t obtain everything we physically desire in this life: the car, the job, the spouse, the reputation, the esteem. Spend some time writing down all the things that concern you, all your wants and needs. Ask the Lord to help you release those cares to Him.

2. Scripture reminds us to remember our God’s ability. No matter our need or desire, or how impossible the situation, God is not only interested but His resources are without end. Think back over your life, and journal all the ways you have seen God provide for you, even before you were a believer.

Prayer Prompt:

Father, Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides. Thank You that You care about our basic needs and our greatest desires. Give us faith in You as You draw us close. Will in us to follow You, stir our hearts to love and trust You. Help us to trust You, not only with our provision but with the desires of our hearts. Align those desires with Your kingdom. We ask it for Your glory. In the capable name of Jesus. Amen.

Devo Plus:

For further reading on God’s faithful provision, read Jeremiah 29:13, 2 Corinthians 9:8, 2 Peter 1:3, Hebrews 13:5.

To read other stories of God’s provision, check out Genesis 22 for the story of Abraham and Isaac, Exodus 16 for how God provided food for the Israelites when they had nothing, and Matthew 27 for the ultimate provision…the death of our savior.

To kick off the first Sunday in 2020, Pastor Matthew taught a thought-provoking message about what it means to live life abundantly. If you haven’t watched or listened to it yet, I encourage you to watch it so you can see the object lesson that he used. We were encouraged to take a personal inventory of where we would place various “markers” in our relationship with God, and to evaluate if we have willingly given over each of those ten areas to Him. (As a quick recap, those areas were Work, Marriage, Relationships, Romance, Media, Parenting, Time, Politics, Health and Money.)

Folks, that really caused me to take pause. Ultimately, if we aren’t putting God first, He cannot bless us the way He has intended. Even when it’s difficult to give things to Him (like our time, our money, our health, etc.), we are commanded to do so. Using the ten areas that Pastor Matthew focused on in his message, I asked God to show me how I can honor HIM first.

If I had to say that God revealed one area to me that I need to work on the most, it’s in making Him first with my time. I do a good job honoring Him the first day of the week by faithfully attending church. I was fortunate enough to have this rhythm engrained in me as a child, so if I’m not in church on Sunday, it just doesn’t feel “right” to me. The rest of the week, however…I need some serious work. I don’t do a great job about regularly making God first in my day. My intentions are golden, but my performance is not. I allow a text message or an email on my phone’s home screen to derail my morning before I ever get out of bed. In my world, it’s normal to receive a lengthy email at three in the morning with a long list of to-do’s attached, because my bosses and colleagues are located all over the U.S. I try really hard not to look before I’m up and ready for work, but often I fail. I allow my mind to go in a thousand different directions to determine how I should solve the problem or complete the tasks.

As you may have guessed, before I know it, my “good intentions” to start the day in God’s Word and spending time with Him have gone by the wayside, and I catch myself regretting that I didn’t start my day off right. In fact, I proceed with my work day and (you can judge me here, I deserve it) I add “read devo” to my daily to-do list next to things like “pick up groceries, refill prescription” and “remind Kyle to stop at my house and feed the cats this week.” (I travel for work and don’t want my animals to starve while I’m gone). You get my point, though. I’m putting my priority of time with God literally on the same page as mundane tasks. Ouch.

For me, it’s pretty clear I need help putting God first. Maybe your “God first” opportunity for improvement is something different. Maybe it’s putting God first in your money, or in your relationships. Maybe He’s asking to be first in your life at your job. Whatever it is, I challenge you to ask God to reveal where He desires more from you, so you can put Him at the top of your priority list.

Prayer Prompt:

Ask God to search your heart, revealing where He wants you to focus on putting Him first.

Ask Him to help you as you commit to this area, knowing that you will likely have struggles. Ask Him to remind you during the struggles that by putting Him first, you are doing His will and striving for a more abundant life in Him.

Psalm 37:4-6 (ESV)

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Explanation:

What does it mean to you to delight in something? Is it a feeling or experience that brings you great joy? A high level of satisfaction for a job well done? Seeking the feeling of “instant gratification” in the pleasures of this world?

In the above passage, the psalmist tells us to “delight yourself in the Lord.” How can we do that? Can we actually find pleasure in a person? The answer is…yes, and that person is Jesus. We can find the true desires of our heart in the presence of God and in the person of Jesus. All we have to do is trust and submit to His way and His timing in our lives. This means placing God first in our actions and thoughts. Seeking Him in decisions we make, and allowing Him to be in our everyday walk. Taking His Word to our jobs, relationships, finances, activities, into every part of our lives.

When we do trust in God, then be at peace knowing God will respond. He knows what we need and will provide for us accordingly (Matthew 6:25-33). All we have to do is put our faith in who He is and what He did for us by taking our sin and dying for each one of us. That is what righteousness means. We have been made righteous; we are in right standing with God because of our faith in Jesus. Take time today to praise and thank God for who He is.

Application:

1. In what ways do you trust in God to provide for your needs?

2. Do you find it easy to delight in God’s presence or is it difficult for you? What steps can you take to find a supernatural peace and joy in an all-powerful, loving God?

3. Is it a challenge for you to submit to God’s will in your life? Do you find it easier when things seem to be going right?

4. Is singing and praising Jesus during worship impactful to you? If not, how can you change this?

Prayer Prompt:

Heavenly Father, help me to feel Your presence today. Show me where I haven’t included You in my life, and help me to put You back in those places. I thank You for everything you have given me. Let me see Your beauty all day long. Amen.

Devo Plus:

YouTube the song Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave, and allow the lyrics to speak over you.

2 Chronicles 20:1-24 (ESV)

After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 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.

And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said, “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. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘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.’ And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For 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. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “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. 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, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. 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.”

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.

When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.

Explanation:

Battles are often won through action. When most of us envision battle, we picture weaponry and combat combined with force and power struggle. It’s the action of one side versus the action of the other side. We think of this because the bulk of battles are fought with this type of action. However, in today’s reading, we see a battle being won in a very different manner. This story provides us with a very healthy example of how we should approach every battle we face in this life. We start by reading that Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was threatened by several other nations, and he and his people were going to be attacked. This reality would make anyone unsettled, and Jehoshaphat became afraid. He could have responded in any way, but he did something remarkable. He “set his face to seek the Lord,” which means he turned to the Lord and intently sought the Lord for help and support. He also gathered the nation of Judah and had them fast, worship, and pray to God right along with him. This was a very godly thing to do, and God blessed him for it by coming through in a big way. God commanded Jehoshaphat not to take the action step most of us would assume and fight these opposing armies, but rather to stand and watch God deliver them. God even went the extra mile to comfort the heart of Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah by speaking to their fear and blessing them with the ultimate comfort of promising His presence would be with them.

This was unbelievably gracious of God to care for His people in this way. Jehoshaphat’s response was utter gratefulness when He received this word from God, and it led him to a place of worship. We can learn so much about how to handle the battles in our lives from Jehoshaphat’s example. We learn that God is for us and will communicate to us how best to handle the battles we face in life. We always have the assurance that God will be fighting alongside of us whenever we seek Him and put our faith in Him.

Application:

1. What can you learn from Jehoshaphat’s example of handling this battle in his life?

2. What have you learned about God through today’s reading?

3. What battle are you currently facing that you need God’s help in?

4. How can you seek God in this battle starting right now?

Prayer Prompt:

Father God, thank You for always being available to help me in the battles I am facing in my life. God, I never want to foolishly face these battles on my own. I need Your strength, power, and care to help me. I ask You for Your wisdom on how to handle my next battle and Your comfort for the anxieties in my heart.

Devo Plus:

Read 2 Chronicles 20:35-37. Compare and contrast how Jehoshaphat handled this situation versus the one in today’s reading. How was the outcome different?