Regarding the Presence

Tonight our family read the account in 2 Kings 3, a testimony of God's grace in providing victory for His people.  The chapter begins by explaining how Jehoram was a wicked king over Israel, and after the death of Ahab the nation of Moab rebelled against Israel's rule.  Jehoram sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, a righteous man who feared God.  Jehoshaphat agreed to help reign in the rebellious Moabites, and they traveled together for seven days through the land of Edom.  The text says the king of Edom came along in support.  Despite their planning and collaboration, they faced defeat before even meeting Moab in battle because of a severe water shortage.

Jehoram blamed the lack of water as a sinister plan of God to destroy them.  Refusing to accept such a suggestion, the faithful king of Judah said in 2 Kings 3:11, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?" So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."  Jehoram remained unconvinced, but in the end they decided to seek the assistance of Elisha.  2 Kings 3:13-14 says, "Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No, for the LORD has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab." ¹⁴ And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you."  Isn't that amazing?  Jehoram and the king of Edom served idols, but Jehoshaphat feared the true God.  God regarded the presence of Jehoshaphat because he feared Him.  Not only that, but God provided water abundantly and allowed all three kings to be victorious over Moab for the sake of Jehoshaphat.

God does not regard the presence of those who hate him, but to those who trust Him God will look.  He seeks to show Himself strong on behalf of those who fear Him.  Laban realised God had blessed him as a direct result of Jacob working for him.  Pharaoh promoted the incarcerated foreign slave Joseph to second in command because the Spirit of God was with him and gave great wisdom.  Daniel and his companions were tested and found ten times wiser than the other wise men in Babylon because God was with them.  God dwells in unapproachable holiness, yet He sent Jesus Christ His Son to be the Saviour of the world.  Isaiah 66:1-2 says, "Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? ² For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."  Those who highly regard the presence of God will be regarded by Him.  Through the Gospel Christians are made the temple of the Holy Spirit, and He dwells within us.  At all times we can commune with the Father through the prompting of the Spirit, and Jesus stands at the Father's right hand interceding on our behalf.

This world for millennia has reaped the rewards of God's answers to the prayerful intercessions of Christians.  A day will come when the church will be taken, and the kings of the world will suffer.  In Jesus we find rest for our souls, and in our hearts His Spirit finds rest too.  Do we meet God's conditions so we might be recognised when we come before Him in prayer?  Are we contrite, broken, and tremble at His Word?  Our God is the God who sees, indwells, empowers, and glorifies.  He is worthy to be sought and praised.