Grace and Truth column

One evening, two prayer partners and I prayed for wisdom and help about knowing what to do when there’s “sin in the camp” that leads to defeat by our adversaries, such as the Israelites under Joshua experienced (7:10-12). We prayed in the face of concern about what seemed to be an increasing bondage to carnality and satanic strongholds and destructive, body-maiming attacks in and on faith communities, ethnic communities, the nation and around the world. We acknowledged we didn’t know what to do about the many threats to life and challenges to peaceful relationships.

“Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,” came to mind when we asked, What, Lord, would you have me do? After several hours of meditating on Scripture, I was led to 2 Chronicles 20, where those recurring words are written.

King Jehoshaphat said to God, “We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us, nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (vs. 12). Later “the Spirit of the Lord” gave words that provided answers to our evening prayers for wisdom. The Lord generated faith to believe the promise of salvation and obey the instructions to stand still.

The faith-generating words through Jehaziel in part were, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed, because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. … You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. … Do not fear or be dismayed … for the Lord is with you.” The last six words were a glad reminder of my understanding of God as Emmanuel (God-with-us), not only in the sense of being present but as being for us rather than against us.

In response to those six words and my desire to worship, as Jehoshaphat did, words from the prophet Isaiah (12:20) in the form of a song arose unbidden: “Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid … the Lord is my strength and song. He also has become my salvation.”

The Holy Spirit-generated declaration of that verse gave peace and is an appropriate truth for present-day disciples of the Lord Jesus to embrace and trust, because he commanded his disciples not to let their “hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). It is a significant declaration in relationship to individual or national salvation from the multitude of threats and challenges that we face at this time in history.

We can ask in his name for forgiveness for ourselves or others, for wisdom to facilitate deliverance and for fulfillment of the words about being led in the triumph that the apostle Paul wrote of in 2 Corinthians 2:14. We can trust for each, because the Lord said, “Whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name I will do it” (John14:13-14). “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you … that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24). As one who claims that “Jesus is Lord,” can I do less than take his words seriously and believe what he said?

Another truth about the grace of God-with-us, through the Lord Jesus for our peace and salvation, has import for individuals, groups and nations. However, that truth is a conditional promise. The Lord said, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

I pray that all who have received him will be helped day-by-day and in times of need to remember, trust and abide in his liberating words.

B. Elaine Bryant is prayer coordinator for Illinois Mennonite Conference.