Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 20:17 (New Living Translation)

17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!

Show up. Stand still. Just be there.

These are instructions given to an army by a man named Jahaziel. This is how to win a battle in a heated war. Really? Yes, really. Be there. Stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. What Jahaziel said came true.

Why didn’t God do this for me last week when… Because God didn’t choose to do that for me last week when… Why doesn’t God do this for a person I know who has been suffering an ailment for decades and needs mercy? Because God didn’t choose to do that.

But why? Why perform this unbelievable thing at that time but not at my time in my place? I want to know. Nope. Not for me to know.

Back to the beginning. This is what God wants us to do more times than I realize. Be there. Stand in place. Show God that much faith. Notice what God does.

I think that is where I fail the most and the most often. I don’t notice what God does. I don’t notice the power and action of God. I give the situation some other explanation. I claim credit too often.

Please God, help me to put myself in the ranks of those who stand in place and watch you perform miracles every day.