Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established … 2 Chronicles 20:20b (NKJV)
The excerpt of today’s verse comes from a speech given by King Jehoshaphat to encourage Judah, who was facing the attack of a formidable army of enemies coming against them. They had sought God in prayer, and God answered them, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” The people obeyed and lined up in battle formation where God sent them, and Jehoshaphat encouraged them with today’s verse.
Believe is one of many words used cheaply today; often used without much sincerity, such as saying we believe someone when in fact we doubt them. By contrast, believe is a powerful word in God’s Word. It can be found 149 times in the Bible. In the Old Testament it is rendered from the Hebrew âman; to build up, be firm in faith, certain and steadfast. In the New Testament, it comes from the Greek word pisteuō, meaning to have faith that entrusts all to God. This is the type of holy belief that Jehoshaphat called the people to in their time of battle.
A personal favorite Biblical story about belief is that of Jairus (ruler of the synagogue) in Mark 5. I particularly love verses 35-36 after Jesus has been delayed in attending to Jairus’ daughter by a desperately ill woman seeking healing: “while He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “do not be afraid; only believe.” Here we see our Lord Jesus calling for the same belief as Jehoshaphat called for – belief minus fear!
Dear Reader, Jesus calls us to “only believe” today. It is a call to have confidence in Almighty God when we pray; taking our need to Him, leave it there, and believe Him for His answer.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
