Our Temporal Ignorance is a Blessing Indeed

12/17 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 19-20; Revelation 8; Zechariah 4; John 7:1-52

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12/17 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 19-20; Revelation 8; Zechariah 4; John 7:1-52

2 Chronicles 20:32-33

“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.”

EYES

We serve a sovereign God. YHVH God spoke through Jahaziel to say that the battle belonged to God (2 Chr 20:16). Every situation and circumstance exists by the hand of God so He may work all things together for our good (Rom 8:28). It keeps us seeking Him in prayer. The end of Jehoshaphat’s prayer gives us an open secret to the Christian life:

Our God alone knows the end from the beginning. We don’t. And though, as a pastor, I know the Scriptures somewhat well, and though I have gained a great deal of experience in nearly thirty years as a pastor and missionary, every individual and every situation differs. The greatest wisdom I must lean upon is that of God’s wisdom in Christ. It is wonderfully liberating to confess to our heavenly Father, “I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on Christ Jesus.” We find many who have prayed this prayer in their own way. Solomon, as a young king, sought wisdom to govern God’s people (2 Chr 1:10). Jeremiah confessed that he was a mere youth (Jer 1:6). Ezekiel confessed his ignorance to the mysteries of God’s prophetic word (Ezek 37:3). John, the beloved disciple and revelator also surrendered to wisdom and knowledge from above, as we read yesterday (Rev 7:13-14). What a brilliant lesson for every Christian to glean! Moreover, we don’t only confess our weakness, ignorance, and inexperience from the first clause, the second clause is most important. While surely YHVH God is sovereign, and all power to accomplish the holy work comes from Him, you and I are not passive in the work, for we must actively submit to Christ in holiness, keeping our eyes on [Jesus]. This is also the open secret to awaiting the Lord’s return— if we keep our eyes upon Jesus, we’ll see Him when He comes. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lord Jesus, You are wise, for sure,
And I, Your child, am not;
Yet, if I keep my eyes on You,
We’ll see Your power wrought.