Faith Focus (Week 3)

Situations

I want to recap… Jehoshaphat was trying to do “the right thing the right way.” (2 Chronicles 19)

2 Chronicles 20:1 ESV

After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.

As a leader… He is hit with a situation that just doesn’t affect Him but those connected to him.

We all have some type of pressure…

Life situations can have a significant impact on your faith, shaping how you view God, yourself, and the world around you.

Let’s dive back into verse 6…

Remember Jehoshaphat is praying out loud from verses 6-12

2 Chronicles 20:6 ESV

and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

Faith Focus deals with God as our Foundation…

It is difficult to believe in a God that you do not have the correct perspective about…

How you believe will affect the way you will pray.

“O Lord”

Yahweh: “He who is" or "He who causes to be." This reflects God's eternal, self-existent nature, emphasizing that God is independent, sovereign, and the source of all existence.

“God of our Fathers”

God’s track record matters.

I know of your ability

“Are you not God in Heaven?”

Above all and in control of all

“You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations”

“In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”

You can't pray and doubt.

You can't pray and stress.

You can't pray and control.

You can't pray and complain.

You can't pray and worry.

You can't pray and give up.

You have to pray and believe that God is “Above all and in control of all”

2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Life situations can naturally lead to asking deep, reflective questions, especially when they challenge your expectations, values, or sense of security.

“O our God, will you not execute judgement on them?”

This is a rhetorical question

A rhetorical question is asked to make a point rather than to elicit an actual answer.

Pause!

Can you relate….

God I have some questions and I am looking for some answers.

Why am I experiencing this situation.

Let’s be honest we all have a “this”

Pause: Is my “This” an uncontrollable situation or is my “This” a situation caused by me. (Repent)

“For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us”

Powerless: strength n. — the property of being physically or mentally strong.

Jehoshaphat recognized that he couldn’t do it with his physical or mental strength.

Often time situations are God’s opportunity…

If God is allowing “this” to happen is means that God is going to use my “this” to build my faith in HIM!

There is a lesson to be learned in my “this”

There is a revelation of God in my “this”

There is a strengthening of my spiritual foundation in my “this”

It’s not about my ability

It’s not about my strategy

My recognition of my powerlessness…

Points to me to depend on His power…

If God had never put us in the situation we would have never acknowledge our inability.

“We do not know what to do”

Jehoshaphat gave us a statement of freedom!

I am the King

I am the Leader

I am the one that everyone is depending on

I am suppose to have it all together

“We do not know what to do”

Jehoshaphat teaches us that it’s ok to not know what to do.

“But our eyes are on you”

I know last week I told you what to do.

I need to teach us how to do it.

How do I keep my eyes on a God that I can not see?

God’s Word is how I keep my eyes on Him…

The Bible provides a tangible way to know and understand God.

Regularly reading and meditating on Scripture helps you learn about God's character, His promises, and how He works in your life, even though He is not physically seen.

Pray consistently: Prayer is how you communicate with God. Through prayer, you build a relationship with Him

Cultivate a God-Centered Perspective

Look for God in everyday life: Be mindful of how God reveals Himself in nature, through others, or in life's blessings.

Look in the mirror…

I see God when I see ME!

FAITH FOCUS