What can we learn from Jehoshaphat's leadership in seeking God's guidance? A scene worth picturing “Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD before the new courtyard” (2 Chronicles 20:5). Enemy armies are on the march. Instead of rushing to fortify walls or draft a battle plan, the king positions himself in front of the people—within God’s house—to ask God what to do. Five lessons from Jehoshaphat’s example • Seek God first, not last – Verse 3: “Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD.” – Fear becomes a trigger for prayer, not panic. – Proverbs 3:5-6 shows the same order: trust → acknowledge → God directs. • Gather the whole community around the throne of grace – Verse 4: “Judah gathered to seek help from the LORD.” – Corporate prayer unites hearts and magnifies faith (Acts 1:14; Matthew 18:19-20). • Stand in the place God appointed – Jehoshaphat chooses “the house of the LORD.” – He honors God’s covenant promise tied to that location (2 Chron 6:20-33). – Today the principle carries into faithful, committed fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Pray Scripture back to God – Verses 6-9 rehearse God’s attributes, past acts, and promises. – This practice anchors requests in revelation, not emotion (Psalm 119:49-50). • Confess dependence without embarrassment – Verse 12: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” – God answers honest weakness with perfect strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). Related snapshots of the same pattern • Moses facing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14) • Samuel interceding at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:5-10) • Early church seeking direction over Matthias (Acts 1:23-26) What we carry into today • First impulse: pray. • Invite others into the seeking; leadership is shared dependence. • Anchor every request to a specific promise. • Own weakness; God fills what we lack. • Expect God’s answer and be ready to obey when it comes (2 Chron 20:17). |
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