Unexpected Events

All of us have experienced unexpected events. Sometimes they are positive, such as when you receive that unexpected check in the mail, a promotion at work, a pay increase. Sometimes they are negative. You get told you have lost your job, and unexpected illness, an unexpected tragedy. The list could go on and on in either category.

There is a story in the Old Testament that I have always thought was a good text to learn from when we experience negative unexpected events in life. I have preached on this text many times. Instead of writing out a whole sermon I think I will just take a few verses at a time and present the chapter in different parts.

In 2nd Chronicles we find these words: 1 Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi )." 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD ; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD.  2nd Chronicles 20:1-3

Jehoshaphat, who was king at the time, woke up and probably expected a day like any other day. But he is told in verse 2 that a great multitude is coming against him. This is what I referenced earlier. You start your day like any other day and then you get the news. Some unexpected event has come up. It's not good news. How do we respond? What do we do?

Notice that at the beginning of verse3 that Jehoshaphat was afraid. I find it comforting that a great king was afraid. So many of us try to put on a brave face and act like there is nothing wrong. Or we can have others try to make us ashamed for being afraid, but fear is a natural reaction. I think it's ok to be afraid as long as we don't get paralyzed by our fear and remain fearful.

Jehoshaphat didn't let his fear paralyze him. We are told that in the midst of his fear he turned his attention to seek the LORD. Do you know what our natural human reaction is? We try to fix the problem on our own. Think back to how many times in our lives when you or I have experienced unexpected bad news that our first option was to try and fix the problem on our own? Probably the majority of the time. But the Bible is showing us that our first option can and should be to seek the LORD. We should go to God to see what He wants us to do. I also see in this passage that since Jehoshaphat went to seek the LORD as to what to do, that means that God wants us to go to Him. It also implies that He will give us direction if we humble ourselves and go to Him.

We learn how to tell the difference between our own thoughts and what God is actually trying to say to us by experience. Though we may not get it right 100% of the time, we can learn how to tell when it is God speaking to us and giving us direction.

So in those unexpected events let's remember:
1. Unexpected events happen to everyone
2. It is ok to have that initial fear.
3. Let's seek God in the midst of our fear.
4. God desires for us to go to Him.
5. God will give us direction.

Troy