Finding God in Crisis: The Path to Revival
Summary
In times of crisis, where do we turn when life seems to be unraveling? This question is at the heart of our exploration of revival, which is fundamentally about the return of God to His people. Revival is not just a theological concept but an experiential reality where God's presence becomes tangible in our lives. We see this vividly in the story of King Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20. Faced with an overwhelming crisis as a multitude of enemies approached, Jehoshaphat was afraid and felt powerless. This is a relatable scenario for many of us, as crises can manifest in various forms—financial, health, relational, or vocational—leaving us feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do.
Jehoshaphat's response to his crisis was to seek the Lord and proclaim a fast throughout Judah. This act of seeking God is crucial because crises often drive us to a deeper dependence on Him. God allows and even uses crises to demonstrate that He alone is God, inviting us to experience His reality in our lives. In the midst of crisis, we don't need cutesy statements or high-sounding theological terms; we need to see the living God at work.
Jehoshaphat's prayer was rooted in the promises of God, recalling the dedication of the temple by Solomon, where it was declared that God would hear and deliver His people when they called upon Him in times of trouble. This teaches us the importance of aligning ourselves with God's promises and seeking Him earnestly. Jehoshaphat's story reminds us that even in our imperfections, God sees the good in us and responds to our sincere pursuit of Him.
The narrative also highlights the importance of focusing on God rather than the crisis itself. Jehoshaphat shifted his gaze from the overwhelming circumstances to the sovereignty of God, acknowledging that heaven rules and that God has the final say. This shift in focus allows us to draw down heaven's resources for our earthly crises. As Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah sought God, the Spirit of the Lord came upon a prophet who delivered a specific word for their situation, reminding them that the battle was not theirs but God's.
Key Takeaways:
- In times of crisis, seek God earnestly. Crises often drive us to a deeper dependence on God, allowing us to experience His reality in our lives. When we turn our attention to God, we align ourselves with His promises and invite His intervention. [07:45]
- God uses crises to demonstrate His sovereignty. He allows overwhelming situations to show that He alone is God, inviting us to experience His power and presence in our lives. This is not about cutesy statements but about seeing the living God at work. [09:15]
- Focus on God's sovereignty, not the crisis. Jehoshaphat shifted his gaze from the overwhelming circumstances to the sovereignty of God, acknowledging that heaven rules and that God has the final say. This shift in focus allows us to draw down heaven's resources for our earthly crises. [19:12]
- God responds to our sincere pursuit, even in our imperfections. Jehoshaphat was an imperfect man, yet God saw the good in him and responded to his sincere pursuit. This teaches us that God recognizes our efforts to seek Him and responds with grace. [15:31]
- The battle is not ours but God's. When we focus on God and His promises, He provides a specific word for our situation, reminding us that the battle is not ours but His. This allows us to hand over our burdens to Him and trust in His deliverance. [31:08]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Crisis
[00:33] - Understanding Revival
[01:18] - Jehoshaphat's Crisis
[02:26] - Recognizing Overwhelming Circumstances
[03:47] - Different Forms of Crisis
[05:08] - Feeling Powerless
[07:25] - Seeking the Lord
[09:15] - God's Purpose in Crisis
[11:06] - Remembering God's Promises
[14:18] - Jehoshaphat's Imperfection
[17:11] - Aligning with God
[19:12] - Heaven Rules
[22:08] - God's Sovereignty Over Nations
[26:42] - Calling on God's Name
[31:08] - The Battle is the Lord's
[35:04] - Receiving a Rhema Word
[37:35] - Handing Over the Battle to God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
- 1 Kings 8:33-34
- Psalm 121:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. What was King Jehoshaphat's initial reaction to the crisis he faced, and what action did he take in response? ([02:04])
2. How did Jehoshaphat's prayer reflect his understanding of God's promises and past actions? ([11:48])
3. What role did the prophet play in the story of Jehoshaphat, and what message did he deliver to the people of Judah? ([31:08])
4. How did the people of Judah respond to the crisis after receiving the prophet's message? ([40:39])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God allow crises to occur in our lives, according to the sermon? How does this perspective change the way we view difficult situations? ([09:15])
2. In what ways did Jehoshaphat demonstrate a shift in focus from the crisis to God's sovereignty? How can this shift impact our approach to personal challenges? ([19:12])
3. How does the story of Jehoshaphat illustrate the importance of aligning ourselves with God's promises during times of trouble? ([11:48])
4. What does the phrase "the battle is not yours but God's" mean in the context of Jehoshaphat's story, and how can this principle be applied to our own lives? ([31:08])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent crisis you faced. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of Jehoshaphat's example of seeking God earnestly? ([07:45])
2. Identify a current situation in your life where you feel overwhelmed. How can you shift your focus from the problem to God's sovereignty, as Jehoshaphat did? ([19:12])
3. Jehoshaphat's prayer was rooted in God's promises. What specific promises from Scripture can you hold onto during your current challenges? ([11:48])
4. Consider a time when you felt powerless in a situation. How can the understanding that "the battle is not yours but God's" change your perspective and actions? ([31:08])
5. How can you cultivate a deeper dependence on God in your daily life, especially when not in crisis? What practices can help you maintain this focus? ([09:15])
6. Jehoshaphat called for a fast and collective seeking of God. How can you involve your community or family in seeking God during a crisis? ([07:45])
7. Reflect on a time when you received a specific word or guidance from God during a difficult situation. How did it impact your faith and decision-making? ([32:08])
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking God in Crisis
In times of crisis, it is essential to seek God earnestly. Crises often drive us to a deeper dependence on God, allowing us to experience His reality in our lives. When we turn our attention to God, we align ourselves with His promises and invite His intervention. Jehoshaphat's response to his overwhelming situation was to seek the Lord and proclaim a fast throughout Judah. This act of seeking God is crucial because it shifts our focus from the crisis to the One who can deliver us. By earnestly seeking God, we open ourselves to His guidance and strength, which are vital in navigating through difficult times. [07:45]
2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (ESV): "Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord."
Reflection: What specific step can you take today to seek God more earnestly in a current crisis you are facing?
Day 2: God's Sovereignty in Crisis
God uses crises to demonstrate His sovereignty. He allows overwhelming situations to show that He alone is God, inviting us to experience His power and presence in our lives. This is not about cutesy statements but about seeing the living God at work. In the story of Jehoshaphat, God allowed the crisis to unfold so that His power could be displayed. When we recognize God's sovereignty, we understand that He is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic. This understanding brings peace and assurance that God is working for our good, even in the midst of trials. [09:15]
Isaiah 45:7 (ESV): "I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things."
Reflection: How can you acknowledge God's sovereignty in a specific area of your life where you feel overwhelmed?
Day 3: Shifting Focus to God's Sovereignty
Focusing on God's sovereignty rather than the crisis itself is crucial. Jehoshaphat shifted his gaze from the overwhelming circumstances to the sovereignty of God, acknowledging that heaven rules and that God has the final say. This shift in focus allows us to draw down heaven's resources for our earthly crises. By recognizing that God is in control, we can find peace and strength to face our challenges. This perspective helps us to trust in God's plan and rely on His power rather than our own understanding. [19:12]
Psalm 103:19 (ESV): "The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can shift your focus from your current problems to God's sovereignty today?
Day 4: God's Response to Our Sincere Pursuit
God responds to our sincere pursuit, even in our imperfections. Jehoshaphat was an imperfect man, yet God saw the good in him and responded to his sincere pursuit. This teaches us that God recognizes our efforts to seek Him and responds with grace. Our imperfections do not disqualify us from experiencing God's presence and intervention. Instead, God looks at the sincerity of our hearts and our desire to draw near to Him. This understanding encourages us to pursue God wholeheartedly, knowing that He is faithful to respond. [15:31]
2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV): "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust that God sees your sincere pursuit despite your imperfections?
Day 5: The Battle Belongs to God
The battle is not ours but God's. When we focus on God and His promises, He provides a specific word for our situation, reminding us that the battle is not ours but His. This allows us to hand over our burdens to Him and trust in His deliverance. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were reminded that the battle belonged to God, which gave them the confidence to face their enemies. By trusting in God's promises, we can find peace and assurance that He will fight on our behalf and bring about victory. [31:08]
Exodus 14:14 (ESV): "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."
Reflection: What burden are you carrying today that you need to hand over to God, trusting that He will fight for you?
Quotes
Our series is on revival and revival at the heart of it is the return of God to his people where his manifest presence is experienced where you where you experience the reality of God where God is no longer a theology or a theory a concept that you believe in but seems to be so untouchable and so far far away revival is when the reality of God becomes real to the experience of its people when God in a sense re-enters into your situation of life regularly. [00:31:10]
Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord Jehoshaphat is in a crisis he is now being overwhelmed the statement is that a great multitude is coming against you you know you're in a crisis when life is overwhelming you when everywhere you look there is a problem when it's one thing after another he is being outnumbered by the circumstances a great multitude that is a plethora of negative circumstances are engulfing your life. [02:08:56]
God allows creates causes endorses overwhelming scenarios in our world so that we can discover God see it's one thing to know God in theory he's my rock my sword my shield he's wheel in the middle of a wheel that sounds good and it'll get you an amen but in a crisis you don't need cutesy statements in a crisis you don't need spiritual Serendipity's in a crisis you doesn't need high sounding theological vernacular in a crisis you need to see the Living God. [09:19:12]
Jehoshaphat adjusted the God so that now God was free to hear his prayer one of the worst things to do is to pray and have a God who will not hear not because he doesn't want to hear but because we are not adjusting to him we live in that kind of world I hope you know that people want God as long as here just to us well that's not quite to God that's God that's the God that we want to make so he gets things right and then he prays. [17:23:40]
He introduces his prayer with one of the great truths that you need to remember particularly if you are in a crisis or when you get in a crisis he says God is it not true that here it is here it is here it is never forget this God is it not true pay close attention he says God is it not true that heaven rules if you can remember if you forget everything I say today I want you to remember this heaven rules. [18:11:69]
Never let your feelings sit in judgment over your faith you must always let your faith sit in judgment over your feelings don't deny how you feel how you feel is how you feel I'm afraid I'm anxious I'm insecure I'm worried I'm doubtful don't let me cuz I say you're not afraid when you're afraid well that's like lying if you're trembling you're trembling that's the real but the problem is not how you're feeling the problem is allowing how you feel as real as it is to override your faith. [19:53:51]
He says the sons of Ammon and Moab desire whom you did not let invade Israel you turn aside them and did not destroy them see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from your possession which you have given us as an inheritance Oh our God will you not judge them for we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us nor do we know what to do but our eyes are on you. [28:55:25]
As long as the enemy can keep your eye on the enemy you gonna be looking at the wrong thing down my crisis I'm not gonna ignore my crisis cuz I'm just saying now they're coming at us but I'm not gonna stare them down I'm gonna look to you I'm gonna look to the hills from with cometh my help my help cometh from the Lord I am looking for you remember last week why does God call us to prayer he calls us to draw down heaven for the benefit of my crises on earth. [29:45:26]
The Spirit of the Lord came upon jahaziel the son of Zachariah verse 15 and he said listen all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat thus saith the Lord to you do not feel or be dismayed because of this great multitude is overwhelming crisis for the battle is not yours but gods for the battle is not yours but gods oh there's so much in here listen listen now he prays cuz he's in a crisis. [30:51:53]
When he focused on God and they God is focused without ignoring his crisis when he made us focus on God appealing to God's nature appealing the guards history and then appealing to what God's Word said it says the Spirit of the Lord came upon the prophet and the Prophet gave them a word about how God wanted them to resolve this problem why am i pointing this out because now we have the Word of God joining with the Spirit of God to bring an answer to the crisis being experienced by the people of God. [32:23:35]
When you're in a crisis you just don't need the Word of God in its general written sense you need a Rhema word that is you need the specific Word of God that applies to you in your specific crisis because you can't go to the Bible and the Bible tell you whether to move to Fort Worth or move the California you can't go to the Bible and it tells you whether to do this specific thing or that it gives you general principles but it doesn't give you all the specific guidance about your specific crisis. [33:14:23]
He says the battle is not yours yours but the Lord now in 1st Samuel we have this phrase because Israel was in a crisis his name was Goliath Goliath there's a problem too big for you to handle by the way whenever you have a problem that's too big for you to handle call it Goliath because then you know how things gonna wind up david says the battle is not yours the battle is the Lord's. [37:28:64]
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