Jumpin' Jehoshaphat

2 Chronicles 19-23

What is your first response to troubles or challenges? Is it some alternate plan that had been thought through long before, a contingency for just such an occasion? Is it a retreat to a safe place or a hiding place? Or does it become a personal challenge, a chance to prove your problem solving ability, to support a savior complex?

Or how about the most common reaction... PANIC!

Or maybe it starts with a simple statement of surprise, "Jumpin' Jehoshaphat!"

Now I don't know exactly where that phrase came from, and even in some quick research I discovered that no one else really does either. It's probably from 19th Century America who used it as a non-cursing reaction. It may also be a euphemism for Jehovah or Jesus almost as a cry for help, kind of like some people say today, "O, sweet Jesus!"

But I like the idea that it may have been used originally because of the reaction of Jehoshaphat when trouble came his way. The Moabites, Ammonites and the Meunites had united and began a march against the nation of Judah. When King Jehoshaphat heard about it he did what should be our first response...

"Shaken, Jehoshaphat prayed. He went to God for help and ordered a nationwide fast. The country of Judah united in seeking God's help - they came from all the cities in Judah to pray to God." (2 Chronicles 20:4-5, Msg)

Too often we meet for meetings, we sit around the table, we plan stuff as a church or as groups, ministries, families and we discuss how, make strategies, set visions, and create hopes, but how often do we simply stop and pray. I'm not talking about the opening prayer that's nearly as impotent as many prayers before meals. I'm talking about real prayer that shakes the foundations of heaven.

It's what God is waiting for from us. Sure, we have to respond with action too, but action before real prayer for direction will result in the wrong action or the wrong direction.

Our right response, our first reaction is simple and the most powerful.

Pray!

Jumpin' Jehoshaphat. That's what he did. So can we!

Peace ><>