Regarding His Presence

King Jehoshaphat of Judah was a king who feared the LORD.  Though he was rebuked by God for alliances with kings of Israel who did not fear God, Jehoshaphat sought the LORD.  With both idolatrous Ahab and Jehoram there were instances when Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?"  When other kings wondered and despaired of an uncertain future, Jehoshaphat sought the presence of the LORD.  Because Jehoshaphat regarded the presence of God as indispensable, God regarded and accepted him.

After Elisha the prophet was summoned, he questioned why king Jehoram of Israel would have bothered to call him.  But then Elisha revealed amazing truth about God in 2 Kings 3:14:  "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."  Elisha, who stood by grace before the all-knowing God who sees all, told the unbelieving and hypocrite Jehoram he would not look at him nor see him but came at the request of Jehoshaphat.   How wonderful God causes people to stand before Him and is moved by their requests, and how dreadful not to be regarded by Him!  Regardless of the things we say or claims we make, God knows if we really trust Him or not.

God is looking for people who remain loyal to Him, and King Asa suffered consequences for his shifting allegiances.  God regarded Asa enough to inform him of wrongdoing, but it would be far better to have God's favour and aid!  2 Chronicles 16:7-9 says, "And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: "Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. ⁸ Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. ⁹ For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."  God's eyes look throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him!  Those who regard the presence of God and rely upon Him will be greatly helped.

Defeat and death is default for fallen mankind, yet God is gracious to acknowledge and respond to deliver those who regard His presence, those who choose to rely upon Him.  Due to God's unchanging and good character it is a promise; because of our forgetful minds and fickle hearts it is a also a warning.  Benefactors of God's salvation and deliverance like Asa are not guaranteed to rely upon God without fail.  Men like Jehoshaphat who regarded the presence of God also can regard the presence of idolatrous kings.  But God remains gracious and good, answering the prayers of those who seek Him and correcting us when we have not asked so we might repent and be restored.  Those who regard God's presence He will look upon and cause to stand before Him by grace.