2 Chronicles 20:17b-18a – “Do not fear or be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord worshipping the Lord.”
This very morning you opened your eyes, filled your lungs with fresh air, drank in some life-giving water, (perhaps infused with eye-opening caffeine) and right now, you are accessing technology. So, question: Did you stop to thank God for these blessings? Perhaps not, for if you are like me, once the alarm sounded, it was a race of gigantic proportions and all “non-emergency” functions were left behind in the dust.
We, humans, without realizing it, get so caught up in the blessed life God provides us that we totally crowd Him out of it. So, for a dose of gratitude inspiration, let’s head to the Word where we find an example of a grateful life.
The story of King Jehoshaphat could just be that shot of inspiration we are looking for. This humble king stood transparent before Judah as he spoke with fear and uncertainty over an imminent attack. In the presence of all the people, Jehoshaphat admitted his inabilities and lack of vision as he cried out to Jehovah,
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
King Jehoshaphat knew solutions did not lie in earthly wisdom nor in the power of his kingdom, but in Jehovah God. And for this display of trust, Jehovah responded with,
“The battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Upon receiving God’s claim on the battle, we could assume the king quickly gathered his army, inventoried his weapons, and immediately called his commanders to strategize. But not so, for with God’s proclamation of victory, Jehoshaphat’s gratefulness trumped it all and this mighty king halted an entire nation for worship and praise.
As my grandmother would have said, Jehoshaphat “put the cart before the horse” by worshipping God for the victory of a battle not yet fought. What an example of grateful trust this king demonstrated!
Might we, sisters, find inspiration from this King of long ago? Do we often overlook thanking God for all the ways he protects, loves, comforts, and surrounds us with His love after we have received and used these gifts? If so, we most likely overlook gratitude for God’s goodness yet to be given.
During this season of thankfulness, may we place the praise-cart before the horse as we trust enough to worship God for the blessings He has yet to bestow. May we rise in joyous pre-praise for a loving Father’s daily goodness.
Father God, thank you for the blessings yet to come.
Rita Cochrane