A lengthy battle with a chronic illness had taken its toll on Jimmy. Though he desired to spend time with God each morning, praying to Him and meditating on the Scriptures, he couldn’t find a way to position his body in his chair that wasn’t painful. He shifted from side to side, but there was no relief. Finally, in desperation, he fell to his knees. As he did, that prayerful posture proved to lessen the agonizing ache. In the mornings that followed, Jimmy spent time with God on his knees—experiencing comfort even as he called out to Him in prayer.
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, also faced a battle—not with pain but with threatening enemies (2 Chronicles 20:1-2). The king was “terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance” (v. 3 nlt). All the people of Judah sought “help from the Lord” as well (v. 4). God heard their prayers, and His Spirit came upon a Levite named Jahaziel, who delivered this comforting message to the king: “Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . . The Lord will be with you” (vv. 15, 17). Jehoshaphat “bowed down with his face to the ground,” and everyone “fell down in worship before the Lord” (v. 18).
In painful and challenging times, we can often experience God’s nearness in a powerful way. As He helps us submit to His will and live out a prayerful posture in our hearts, we can find comfort and peace in Him.
How has God comforted you as you prayed to Him? What painful thing will you bring to Him today?
Loving God, thank You for meeting and comforting me as I pray to You.
Jehoshaphat is one of Judah’s more intriguing kings. The kingdoms of Judah and Israel had parted ways barely six decades earlier, yet Jehoshaphat foolishly agreed to go into battle allied with Israel’s idol-worshiping King Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:3). Their combined forces were routed, and Ahab was killed (vv. 33-34). Despite that episode, Jehoshaphat followed God throughout most of his reign. As a large foe amassed against the people of Judah (20:1-3), Jehoshaphat instinctively sought God. Praying before all the people, he recalled God’s promise to their father Abraham (vv. 5-9). Desperate though he was, Jehoshaphat knew God could be trusted. In our trials, we too can find comfort when we seek God in prayer.
