It was told Jehoshaphat, A great multitude has come against you … Then Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself [determinedly, as his vital need] to seek the Lord; he proclaimed a fast in all Judah.
—2 Chronicles 20:2–3
—2 Chronicles 20:2–3
When King Jehoshaphat needed to hear from God, he proclaimed a fast throughout his entire kingdom of Judah. All the people gathered to seek the Lord for help, longing for Him with all their hearts.
Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast to demonstrate his sincerity to God and his need for God. If you need to hear from God, consider missing a few meals and taking that time to seek God. Turning the television off and spending time with God instead of watching it is not a bad idea either, nor is spending a few evenings at home seeking God instead of going out with friends asking for their advice and opinions. These disciplines and others prove that you understand the importance of hearing from God.
Some people seek God earnestly only when they are in trouble, but we need to seek Him intensely all the time. God once impressed upon me that the reason so many people have so many problems is that the only time they seek Him is when they are in trouble. He showed me that if He removed some people’s problems, they would not seek Him at all. He said, “Seek Me as if you were desperate all the time and then you won’t find yourself desperate so often in reality.” I think this is good advice and I encourage you to follow it every day.
God’s word for you today: Don’t wait until you are in trouble to seek God; seek Him all the time.
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