Unwavering Focus

King Jehoshaphat found out that there was a “great multitude” coming soon to attack his people. He felt helpless to protect the people that he was responsible for and when he got the news he was overwhelmed with fear. But his response to fear was not despair. Instead he called a fast in all of Judah and he gathered the people to seek the Lord and his help (2 Chronicles 20:1-4). He admitted his weakness and they prayed together (2 Chronicles 20:12).

Unwavering focus is not something that comes naturally to me. Whenever I am faced with a massive invasion in my life, my initial response is to want to control the situation. I have to intentionally choose to put my hope in God’s presence and promises but I have good reason to do so. God has proven himself faithful to me time after time (Lamentations 3:22-23). I have learned that seeking wisdom from him, and trusting the path that he sets before me is always better than trying to do things in my own strength or trying to figure things out and solve problems myself. God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and he promises to give us guidance and direction when we trust in him, not our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Sometimes we can’t comprehend God‘s methods in the midst of an invasion. It seems confusing to us. We want to understand but the silence feels deafening. King David expressed these feelings in Psalm 13:1, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” During these times God taught me that I don’t have to understand why something is happening. The only thing I have to understand is that I can trust him. I can trust his character, his Word and who he is. And when I trust him he promises that I can stay in peace, even when facing unwanted and unexpected invasions (Philippians 4:6-7). The unwanted and unexpected invasions are the very challenges that God uses to increase our faith in his promises.

I didn’t understand this until I went through a lengthy invasion where there didn’t seem to be any solutions in the near future. His promises to be present and to provide what I need was the sustaining grace that helped me keep moving forward and doing the next thing day after day without giving into despair (Joshua 1:9). His presence and provision gives me strength, comfort, and the unconditional love that I need to not lose hope when facing challenges that I don’t understand. God hears our prayers and he will act in his perfect way and timing (Psalm 37:5).

Whether we are facing an actual physical attack on our life or an attack in some other area of our life, we have to choose how we will respond to overwhelming circumstances that make us feel trapped and helpless. We can choose each time to admit our weakness to God and to depend on him (Psalm 61:2).

Psalm 62:5-7 (GNT) says, *“I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my strong protector; he is my shelter.” *

Dear God, help me to be confident in the truth that you will arm me with strength just in time for whatever challenges lie ahead. May my first response always be to seek you and pray. Thank you for your promises to never leave me or forsake me and to provide everything I need.

Song of encouragement - Trust In God (feat. Chris Brown & Isaiah Templeton) | Elevation Worship