“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2Ch 20:12).
There are moments that stand apart from all others; marked by such honesty and gravity that the humm and buzz of standard social fare comes to a complete halt, as an expectant crowd is held suspended in silence awaiting to discover what possibly will happen next.
Such a moment occurred ages ago during a period in Israel’s history when they were faced with an insurmountable challenge. An enemy was at the gates, and certain destruction was hanging by a thread over their heads. They turned to their governing officials for answers only to discover that there were no answers to be given.
Even their celebrated leader, their Head of State, a man with kinglike grace and wisdom; a man with oratory powers of persuasion, and knowledge beyond his years — even he stands mute and humbled in the face of imminent disaster.
But there is one thing in his favor; one golden ray of hope that shines like a sliver of light through an imperceptible crack in the vaulted dome of a darkened cavern.
The king humbles himself and prays….publicly.
And thereby openly shows the people that their only hope for recovery and survival is in God’s hands. “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them?” he prays, “For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.”
It takes a man or woman of extraordinary courage to publically admit as a leader that they “do not know what to do.” And they must be even more courageous to humbly pray to God, trusting Him to show the way.
But heaven celebrates such courage – and while mankind may find it the occasion for ridicule – the Lord delights in that man or woman who humbles themselves in His presence. He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble; and raises them up to victory in the midt of their enemies.
Seems to me we could use some similar leadership today.
God give us those rare men and women who walk before You in such humility that they can direct all of our eyes away from themselves – and back upon You. Men and women who pray — “neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.”
That’s what to do when you don’t know what to do – and it is high time now that we get to doing it…don’t you think?
Agape Road in The Marketplace by Robert Ricciardelli
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this video, very good, I will share this with my family.
Bless you
Thank you for the brass-tacks conversation. Faith (not religion) is where our strength in testing comes from. I appreciate your practical approach to life and I will remember "changed through presence".
ReplyDeleteI wonder why some in leadership don't humble themselves before God. Is it because they don't see an enemy at the gate, don't have an enemy at the gate, or is it because he is at work within their gates?
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's always a good time to humble ourselves before God.
Great word! I've thought this for a long time.
ReplyDeleteBetter to be humble and ask God for help than to pretend that one knows the solution.... Best to not lead people astray....for pride cometh before a fall and that fall is most definately just around the corner.
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