NEVER FORGET, GOD IS IN CHARGE –

While Jehoshaphat was trying to bring Judah back from the brink of destruction by instituting a new judicial system, building up Judah’s defenses, tearing down all the idols and reestablishing worship to God as the centerpiece of his administration, a large force of surrounding nations decided to invade Judah. God had given Jehoshaphat such success and blessed him with so much wealth and power that they feared he would try to expand his kingdom, and they wanted to stop him before he got started. He learned that sometimes God’s blessings can cause others to become resentful, but this did not cause him to walk away from God’s will and purpose for his life.

“O One True God say something; don’t just stand there with your mouth closed, do something my divine King. Don’t You see that these out of control people hate us, and their hatred for us is all because of Your favor? They conspire to take away the rights of those You hold dear. They want to eliminate us from society and end our influence to the point no one will remember us. Their intentions are firm, and they’ve even made a pact against You. O One True God, cause them to start going around in circles, like a pile of dead leaves whirling in the wind. Make it so hot for them they will feel like they’ve been caught in an inferno that is overtaking them to the point they will become terrified by Your rebuke. Cause them to lose face so that they will come to know who they are dealing with, O LORD Eternal. Make the failure of their efforts public, so that they run off and hide in disgrace. Yes, let them learn that You and You alone are the LORD Eternal, the Most High God over heaven and earth.” Psalm 83:1-5,13-18

Reflection: No too many years ago at a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack P. Lipton and R. Scott Builione presented their findings on how the members of various sections of eleven major symphony orchestras view each other. Some saw percussionists as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing; yet, very fund-loving. They described strings players as arrogant, stuffy, and nonathletic. They overwhelmingly chose “loud” as the primary adjective to describe brass players. They held woodwind players in high esteem, but described them as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical. Lipton and Builion wondered how a group with such divergent personalities and perceptions could get along and make such wonderful music together. The answer: regardless of how those musicians viewed each other, they all subordinated their feelings and biases to the leadership of the conductor. It was through his leadership and guidance they were able to make music that caused the audience to applaud. The Psalmists found himself learning a similar lesson. Because there was so much discord all around him, at first he appealed to the Heavenly Conductor to dismiss them all. But God’s silence was a signal for him to listen. God directs the affairs of this world and his chosen are members of His orchestra. Sometimes we all need to subordinate our biases and feelings and let Him be the conductor. How else are we going to prove to the world that the Most High God is in charge!