2 Chronicles 20:18-19 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

I have loved this story for many years, to the point that I got happy just seeing that today’s reading was from this chapter. It is a beautiful story of God’s protection and provision, but what strikes me here is the people’s response to prophecy. We don’t have any other record of Jehaziel serving as a prophet of God, but when he spoke on this occasion, the king and all the people recognized it for what it was, and responded from their hearts. This must have been quite a sight, with the king and all his officials bowing to the ground in recognition of having heard the Word of the Lord. I get tickled at the description of the Levite choir, because I’ve always had a pretty loud voice! The point is, they heard the Word and responded in transparent sincerity. That they were sincere is proved by what they did after this, acting in obedience. It is very significant that they sent the choir at the head of their army, and verse 22 records that when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against their enemies and totally wiped them out. Absolutely nothing is impossible for God, but He often seems to wait for our response to Him before He acts. That’s because He is most interested in our hearts, and the growth of our faith and commitment. If we are unmoved by what He says to us, how can we expect Him to move on our behalf?

I have long recognized that James 1:22 was written expressly for me: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” As someone with Teacher gifting, I tend to feel that truth is truth, period. The problem is, truth must be received and acted on for it to be operative. Just as Jehoshaphat and his people received the prophecy and acted on it, I’ve got to act on what the Lord says to me, through the Bible and in other ways. Otherwise, I’m just deceiving myself, just as James said. I have countless examples to inspire and encourage me, of people who acted in obedience to what they felt God was saying to them. Closest to home for me would be my parents, who left their homes to come to Japan as missionaries, not knowing that God would bring them together in marriage and draw many to Himself through them. My own wife knew from the time she was 12 that God wanted her to be a missionary, and from 13 He made it clear to her that it would be to Japan. Just yesterday I had the privilege of baptizing a 100-year-old woman who came to faith because of the love expressed through my wife. I am never to hesitate to do what the Lord tells me, because He is God.

Father, thank You for this reminder and affirmation. Thank You indeed for the privilege of baptizing that woman. Thank You for all the things You’ve done through me over the years, and for all that You will continue to do through me. May I always respond to You in loving obedience and praise, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!