October 9th

Today is October 9

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 20.

2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

“LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’

12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

As we enter into prayer today, bring to mind an army that is attacking you. What is uncontrollable and is threatening your peace right now? Maybe it’s that you have too many people relying on you, more work than you can finish, or that you’re being treated poorly by someone? What do you do to try to fix it, knowing you can't? When do you get frustrated and finally cry out, and let God take over? Jehoshaphat didn’t hesitate to go to God. Are you able to bring the thing that is attacking your peace before the Lord today?

"For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” The entire nation cried this out to the Lord. They faced an army so large they knew there was nothing they could do. There was no hope for them but God. It's a lot more difficult to give up when the army is more subtle, and only threatening your mind, not your life. As you listen again, put yourself in this story and imagine how you would like to handle the battle that you are in.

“But our eyes are on you.” Today, when the army invades, pause and fix your eyes on the Lord. At the first sign of trouble, before you are overtaken, ask Him for help and see how he moves.

Music Credit: "I Lift My Eyes Up" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)