01/27/2009
Author: John Powell
Are You Not, Did You Not, Will You Not?
Three key questions about God come to our minds as we face uncertain times. “Is He there? Is He fair? Does He care?” These are often unspoken, but they are familiar to us all. But did you know that God invites us to remind Him of His character, past acts & our present needs?
In King Jehoshaphat’s day Jerusalem was threatened from the east—modern day Jordan. He led God’s people to pray, receive & respond to Him. Jehoshaphat answered those three questions with three more of his own questions—rhetorical questions that drew him toward God in those tough days. First, Jehoshaphat asked (from 2Chron. 20:6,7,12 )...
“Are You Not …?” "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not …God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your and are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”
“Did You Not …?” ”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?”
“Will You Not …?” ”O our God, will you not execute judgment on them?”
These questions are God’s way of moving us to remember who He is, what He has done and what He promises to do. But, we may ask, Why do we need His help? Jehoshaphat remembers that too … ”And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab … whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, … behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do.” 2Chron. 20:10,11
And because Jehoshaphat led them, they received his answer. 12 “…but our eyes are on you." 14 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel …15 And he said, "Listen, …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.’” 20… Jehoshaphat … said, "Hear me… inhabitants of Jerusalem!... Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed."
And when they received His answer, they responded to God for His grace. 18 “Then Jehoshaphat bowed …face to the ground, and …Jerusalem fell down … worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 21 And …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.’”
Just as there was a prologue to set the context for the story there is an epilogue to sum it up. 30 “So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around. 31 Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. … twenty-five years … 32 He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. 33 The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers.”
And you? In your wondering if He is there, fair and if He cares, will you ask the three rhetorical questions of God in a way that speaks to your unique life experience with God?
· “Are you not the God who ______?
· Did you not do____ for me before?
· So, will you not do __ for me now?”
