Our Eyes Are on You
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by Suzanne Benner
“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Everywhere I look, there are marriages falling apart, friends with brain tumors and cancer, people who are lost and children who are walking away from God – insurmountable problems on every side.
Sadness, loneliness and fear still plague individuals at Christmas time. Pain doesn’t take a break for the summer.
Where do we turn when life overwhelms?
A little known king from the pages of the Old Testament prayed a prayer that transcends time and place. Although Jehoshaphat prayed it nearly 3000 years ago from the kingdom of Judah, it could have been prayed last week in Calgary or yesterday in India.
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You”
The words of his prayer resonate in my heart. Its truth rings out for all to hear. At times like these it is easy to acknowledge my helplessness.
God alone can help.
God responded to Jehoshaphat through a prophet with these words, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
We are not alone. The battle is not ours to win or lose; instead the battle belongs to God.
When there are no answers, no strategies for conflict resolution, no medical avenues available may Jehoshaphat’s prayer be on my lips: I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on You.
Questions to ponder: How do you put your eyes on Jesus in times of overwhelming trouble? Read the whole story in 2 Chronicles 20:1 – 30 and be amazed at how powerful our God is.
About the Author
This devotional was written by Suzanne Benner. Read more about Suzanne: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/suzanne-benner/
Amen to that Bloodless!! God is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow and He never changes! Anytime is a great time to celebrate His amazing faithfulness.
Its been a while since this thread was last updated. It feels right that, after 4 years, I should come back to say “Thank you Lord for carrying me through the hot sandy deserts and the mashy rain forests”.
Dear Ladies,
Just wanted to thank you all for lifting me up in prayer for all of these months. I lost my husband 15 months ago and want to let you know that there is nothing to hard for God. I have held on to the Joy in the Moring Scripture and know that God is faithful and He has brought me peace in the midst of the earthly sorrow. It is such a blessing to know that we will be able to meet again. Your devotionals have blessed my heart as I read them every day and especially all of the comments. God bless all of you dear prayer warriors. I know that God led me to this website and know that nothing is too hard for our awesome God.
jackie
i willbe praying for you on tuseday that you will get your job
God bless
sharon
Dear Jackie,
“Hallelujah” and “Praise the Lord” for the wonderful Praise Report you just posted! Prayers are piercing the ceiling! So happy for a deserving and devoted to the Lord famiy! Amen!!!! We’ll all be “in agreement” for that job interview on Tuesday…Amen!!!!!
Ladie, just wanted you to know my husband has a job interview wed.it’s a foerman’s position on dayshift.we don’t really no any details yet,but i’m praising God without details.I’m leaving the details up to him.God is opening doors,because of prayer.I’ve been canning and freezing garden stuff all day and didn’t seem like there was going to be an end to my day, it’s amazing how God can time everything so perfectly, I ‘ve got tons of energy now.Seems like lately I’m posting alot of praise reports in my prayer journal.I can’t wait to mark the rest of our ladies request off ot to.
Barbara;Hang in there God always comes through,maybe not in our timing ,or not even the way we wanted but when he does answer our prayers it’s so much more than you could ever expect.
God is Awesome!!
barbrad
i will keep praying that you will get your child support and that you will get abetter job. just keep believing and trust in The Lord
God bless you and your children
sharon
i thought i had come unpon this site by accedent, but maybe God ,no God did koow that i needed it and sent me to it!!! bless all of you! and that idea about a prayer list with all of your names on it GREAT! mind if i use it too?love toall
sharon
Dear Ann,
Just opened my email and found a “VICTORY Chant” on here from a great “Amour Bearer” and “Woman of GOD” for HIM, Ann Davis! Had goosebumps reading this strong Battle cry, and ladies, look for some prayers to be answered in amazing ways!! Am sooo grateful my name (and this mountain) one you are offering before His Throneroom, too! “Signs and Wonders” are going to follow your great sharings here, dear Ann..Every strong Passage of Word you quoted some of my favorites..and affirmation from our Lord He is listening!!! Amen, Amen and AMEN! Shouting Hallelujah from here!!!! Congratulations, too, dear Ann to you and your husband for the wonderful milestone of 42 years!! And? You WILL have more wonderful years together with him and those children..And the Lord WILL strengthen and continue using you, too! And we’ll meet one day..if not here..then there, for sure!! Hallelujah!!!
Praise God! Sharing a quick thing with you today. When I worked in the Christian Bookstore? Met many like you and was soooo Blessed! Had never done retail in my life..and am here to testify that the Lord sure can do our battles..Every day little miracles unfolded and “HE” taught me how to do the computers for special ordering and undo daily snafus that do come up in retail.. Trust me ladies, “NOTHING too hard for HIM” Jeremiah 32:17..am living proof!
But sharing this for Ann..One lady in particular who came in the store was so saturated in prayer and in His Presence? I’d know when she was in the store! There was a absolute glow around her.. everywhere she walked in that store..YOU, Ann Davis, one of those “Armour Bearers”!!! An emormous Peace always came in with her, too! Amen!!..Just like you “brought in” to the comment section today… “In HIS Presence” shows and it is in YOU!!!!
Thank you for lifting June L as she recovers from her surgery, when she reads today’s posting by you, she’ll be shouting Victory, too! We’re lifting you, dear June L, and look forward to your return!
Barbara D, take heart, a real warrior has lifted you. Things WILL change and heed Ann’s good and strong advice..Do Romans 4:17 and walk today as though it is already here.. We are doing that here as if it had already arrived to our doorstop! Praise daily for what those human eyes can’t yet see, and you will be amazed at the results! We rebuke in JESUS’ name those thoughts that try to overtake, too!
Jackie you already defeated the devil when you refused to let that fear overtake! And your brave husband going in nightly to that battlefield and holding HIM up..Warriors you guys are!
Along with Sharon’s strong faith, I see BDD GONE FOR GOOD in Barbara C’s life, too.. An “army of believers” here at this site joined in faith for that. Barbara C, the devil sees healing at hand, too, and he is mad, but he is also DEFEATED! So many on here bombarding Heaven on your and Barbara D’s behalf..And Eve and Tracy, too..Things WILL change!
All you ladies are amazing on here..And ALL concerns on here lifted, too! A Sisterhood of Believers who hold one another up daily in Prayer! Sending good thoughts to ALL this day and have a safe weekend. HIS Angels surround us already (Psalm 91) ..Praying for us all and those we love, too! Be of Good Cheer this day knowing that our Mighty God fights our Battles FOR us! 2Chronicles 20:15:
“HE said: ‘Listen, King Jehospaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem’ This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S”
Today? Let’s pick up our “Battle Banners” and march forward, just like Ann illustrated. Wish I had a Printer as would print this and put it here by my computer. And I urge you ladies that have printers, do that! And Barbara C and D, put this where you can be blessed daily..A love letter from our Lord through His Trusted Servant, Ann Davis!
I can’t quit shouting Hallelujah here!!!! (Wish I “could” do that somersault that cheered “em” up that time and hope she’s reading today! :)..forgive me, ladies, for length of this posting…Am excited for us all for what the Lord has for us this day!
Thank you, again, Suzanne, for starting this GREAT discussion that causes our eyes to “Isaiah 26:3″!!
Psalm 118:24, dear Ladies!
(((((((ALL)))))))
this is forbarbra c i am so glad that you made it to church that sunday morning. i do not know much aboutbbd but i know that God loves you and so do i and i will be praying for you.
God bless
sharon
To all my Sisters and Brothers who are in battle …..Hold on and know that the Lord is with you. Stand strong and know that this battle is not yours even though it may seem very vast. Continue to walk the Victory walk every morning before you leave your home. Just get up and start waling and saying, “I am walking in Victory” like a soldier and watch God move. I am so interested in my waiting to see what the end is going to be for all of us. It is such a larger picture than what we can see or feel. I want to leave with you this scripure. Because he has set his love opon me, therefore I will deliver him, I will set him on high because he has known My name. Ps. 91:14. I know that though I walk in the flesh, I do not war according to the flesh, because “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” 2 Cor. 10: 3-4)
I know that you have begun a good woik in me will com;ete it (Phil. 1:6). Lord give us the patence to not give up and the strngth to stand stron in YOur Word. I love you all. Be stron in the Lord as we lift each other up in a constsnt prayer. Fran, God bless you for your words of encouragement that has helped me so mightily. Hopefully, one day we’ll meet. I have a prayer list that I have established and I call your names out on a daily basis. Can you imagine how the Lord will move if every saint all over the word or even thoses who are faithful to this ministry would call our names out in prayer daily. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE LORD WOULD MOVE MIGHTILY. CHOOSE TO HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK-END AGAIN AS I RENEW MY VOWS OF 42 YEARS OF MARRIAGE. pRAY THAT THE lORD CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN WHAT REMAINS AND TO USE US FOR HIS GLORY. I WILL LEAVE THIS LITTLE SAYING WITH YOU. “GOD REQUIRES MORE OF YOU “SAY YES”.
For a very long time I’ve been saying, “I dont know what else to do Lord, please show me.” I want off third shift so badly but I’m still here. I have bid on over 50 jobs which I am qualified for and nothing has panned out. I often wonder what the Lord is up to, because this shift is NOT good for me or my kids. I have some really weird things go through my head from being sleep deprived I think. I constantly battle staying awake at night and sleeping during the day, not to mention my finances being in constant lack with no child support from my ex. I really don’t know how much longer I can take this. The battle is the Lord’s and I pray He wins the victory for me very soon! My ex husband is very cunning and has manipulated his way around “the system” for many years. I pray it stops soon. I don’t mind working to provide for my family, but I want daytime hours and benefits so that I can spend quality time with my kids. I don’t understand why I can’t seem to get called for a job when I’ve interviewed 4 times and felt good about my responses. It is very strange. I feel like the devil is working overtime keeping me down and defeated. Thank you ALL for your prayers.
Fran, Sharon and luradine;Thank you ladies so much for your prayers and encouragements.They have helped us so much.The Lord knew I needed this site in my life.It has made my faith stronger.I knew the devotional this morning was for me as well.Last night I had a prank phone call,I started to get scared because I was here alone with the kids.I called my husband who insisted I file a report,because of the nature of the call.I did,I felt really stupid when I couldn’t repeat exactly what they said.(Because Of the nature of the call)after hanging up the phone I just started laughing, my enemy tried not once but twice ina matter of minutes to trick me.I had forgotten about it till this evening.
Thank you Suzanne for being obediant to our Lord by writting this and passing it on.
((Bless you all for your comments your in my prayers too))
fran thank you so much for your wonderful replie i need that you all are ablessing tome.
Bless you
sharon
Dear Sharon,
We all love you so much, too! And? I bet June L is lifting everyone even as she recovers! Will be glad when she is back on here with us.
My Mom and Sister passed in on November days, three years apart..And my heart went out to you when I read your comments..Had tried to send something last night, but a storm here affected the server. But am lifting you and all the other requests on here, too!
You will carry on in the earthen walk for them, too! They are with you, in your beautiful spirit..each and every day! If you are able? That great book of Eugenia Prices is still in our library here. It is small, but BIG in content! She’s the wonderful Author that came to the Lord later in life and wrote so many Historical Novels that take place in the South where she lived her later years out. Her books about her walk with the Lord were great, too! I hope you can find that book about loss as it will bless you soooo much.
Want you to know you are a special light in HIs Kingdom..So many of you dear ladies on here bless and bless. It is heartwarming, too! Have a great day there where you are, dear Sharon! You are a “resident prayer warrior on here”..and? Appreciated, too! :)
dear fran thank you so much for your wondrfull comment, i know i will see them both some day and that God is with me at all times ilove all of you ladies you are such a blessing
bless you
sharon
Dear Sharon,
Seeing your special name on here reminded me of something! Intended to mention about the difficult personal anniversary date for you yesterday. You are a dear earthen servant. And you’ll see him and rejoice again with him, too! When my two close loved ones passed over? Psalm 30:5 helped me so much..the thought that HE’d bring me joy again in the morning as that wonderful Psalm speaks about. Praying that thought blesses you today. Eugenia Price wrote a beautiful book about the grieving process called “Making it through the Night After the Death of A Loved one”..She mentioned that verse in the Psalms and explained it in a comforting way. Bless you dear Sister! (((((((Sharon)))))))
jackie hope all is well with your family and your daughter is doing good
god bless
sharon
Dear Jackie,
“They JOY of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10 and that shown through in your wonderful Praise Report above. Praying for your husband, too, and so proud of the way he stood up for the Lord and has two new “soldiers” inducted into HIS Army!Amen and Amen…And? No matter what happens in the work situation? Am convinced the Lord will be with you for your upright walks! Your sunshiney personality on here and the way you recognize the blessings and your husband’s courage in that work situation..a great “beacon” for others! Hope McKenzie healing quickly, too! (((((((Jackie and Family)))))))
Hello Jackie and Nancy,
Just want to let you know that I,too, am praying for those job situations. Psalm 37 kept me going when I was experiencing similar conditions on my job. Also the story of Joseph in Genesis 37;39-50 is encouraging after reading what he had to go through before he was rewarded. At the end Joseph tells his brothers “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”[Genesis 50:20] Keep on praising God which throws the evil one into confusion like Jehoshaphat’s praise team did {2Chronicles 20:20-23] and keep your eyes open for the blessings on the way! Be sure to give a praise report as God blesses you.
today is the day i lost my only brother three years ago to cancer so it is a sad day for me this was ablessing to read to day thank you so much
God blessyou
sharon
Nancy,Ann Davis, Fran;Thank you for praying and your encouragements;
Most of the time to everyone To the people who know me it would appear my life has no problems,that I don’t have battles or trials.but that is simply no true,I know my enemy can hear what comes out of my mouth and I can make my problems worse by complaining.I don’t want to give my enemy anymore ammo against me than he already has. but my husband is so different he’s easy going,very easy to get along with,very laid back, compassionate person.He’s being used so strongly by God at his job.when he first started that shift no one he worked with was a christain he has lead 2 people to know the Lord.he leaves tracts on his tool box for others to read(and they do) but he’s really been hurt and it shows on his face.he can’t hide feeling very well.I told him you were praying with us and read him your comments.He with ann agreed he’s there for a reason .i could tell by his smile he felt better about things.he wanted me to thank you all.and I love you all soooo much.
thank you.
Quick Postscript
Dear Sisters in HIM..
Wish you could all “see” Barbara C. She is an absolutely beautiful lady ..but the nature of the BBD makes the person see something different in the mirror. Urging all to join together in prayer of deliverence fora wonderful earthen child of HIS. The LORD is going to WIN this battle ..Thank you for your prayers for her..We all love you dearly, Barbara!!!!
Dear, Sweet Barbara C.
HALLELUJAH!!! AND PRAISE OUR MIGHT FATHER IN HEAVEN..You and HIM gave the devil the “knock out punch” Sunday and you got to stand in that wonderful Sanctuary and Praise and be blessed by a song that the LORD pre-ordered for you to be blessed with that day! Just know this..There was more light in your writings above than you realize! He IS fighting this battle for you and you are a “foot soldier” in His Army, too! You, like Ann Davis..An “armour bearer”, too! More Praise comes out of your lips than the other things this BDD causes..And?! Praise JESUS!! More and More and More am seeing Victory in you and this situation! You are right and you blessed many on here today saying “Keep Fighting the Good Fight of Faith”!! We will all join prayers here today and one day this BDD will GO FOR GOOD in JESUS’ Name!!! With you in prayer and love across the miles from all your Sisters in the faith on here!!! (((((((Barbara)))))))
The battle with BDD disorder and suicidal thinking that I go through a lot I realize belongs to the Lord for i cannot overcome it on my own. No doctor, no medication, no materialistic thing in this world nor even place for that matter has HELPED to free me from such bondage of darkness. However, when I allow God in to my life more and more I see the battle within dismanteling more and more and thus allows me to walk out in society to be of help to others.
However, at times the pain and suffering that my mind, bosy and heart goes through when i have a Bad BDD attack/flareup is so difficult to carry around within me and hide from others while I still try to reach out and help those whom need me.
Many times when i am in the mist of the WAR with this disabling BDD Disorder which then traps me into a stupid mindset of suicide, I then realize that I have to call upon the name of JESUS to save me from it all.
This past Sunday, I so much wanted to go to church so I decided to embark on such in order to be in the HOUSE of THE LORD. HOwever, the war/battle with BDD entensified 110% that morning while i was getting ready for church however, regardless to how painfull i was feeling while stepping out my door I refused to allow Satan to keep me helld prisoner in my own home makeing me think I was to ugly to even step out my door. The Lord faught this battle for me and delviered me to church even though i was filled with so much pain and sorrow and wouldn’t you know, the first praise and worship song that we sang was “I’m Trading My Sorrows, I’m Trading My Pian, I’m Laying it down to the LORD. I’m trading my sickness, I’m trading my…..” By the time that i got down singing this song, my tears, my pain, my troubles that I walked in with washed away as i then stood and prayed to God to take it all from me.
We all need to keep on fighting the good fight of faith in order to receive our true crown of glory that awaits us all in heaven. Keeping our eyes, hearts and minds on the LOrd is the only way that any of us are going to make it thorugh this journey here on earth no matter how pianful and uncomfortable things get. I need to learn not to be envious when someone is laid to rest. For I need to be patient and know that my time will come and when it does God will i be so blessedly happy for I know then i will be present with Thy Lord.
Sorry ladies for making this long and maybe very upsetting to many of you. However, i find that the more of my darkness that i expose to the Light amongst other beleivers, the more healed and lightened I become.
Barbara C.
P.S. Fran thanks for praying for me so much you are a true prayer warrior. My life would not have made as many blessed leaps and bounds have it not been for all of our private prayer sessions with one anohter. I LOVE YOU DEARLY.
Dear Ladies and Sister in our LORD,
Just reading the compassion on this one page, alone, blesses me this day and am proud to be amongst you. Praying for all and uplifting Bloodless Dzwairo in this time of earthen sorrow and asking the Lord to be there in comforting ways and bring you to a Psalm 30:5 moment in His perfect timing.. You are uplifted, dear Sister!
Praying for Jackie and husband, and Nancy’s job situation.. and loved the depth of Ann Davis’ comments..We truly do “see through a glass darkly” here sometimes? But, Romans 8:28 and farther down in that great chapter Romans 8:37-39 that we are “more than conquerors” with Him..and that NOTHING will separate us from us GREAT love..so true and a comfort knowing that HE will be with us all in these earthen matters, heads up our “battles, and even turn it all around to our ultimate good because we love and revere HIM.. HE has something special for ALL in and out of these earthen circumstances. HALLELUJAH. Nehemiah 8:10!!!
Bless you, Suzanne, for the powerful prayer of Jehoshaphat that is true in our day, too.. and a reminder that These “Battles are the Lord’s”…We aren’t alone..and HE can make a way where there seems none!(Have been standing on that Promise and the one in Isaiah 35:6 here in our circumstances)..And like Ann Davis’ mature words shared..realizing HE is teaching something mighty through it all.. Be of good cheer All! Amen and Amen!!
Lifting our Sister June L who is in surgery this very moment in GA…Joining powerful prayers of agreement with all of you on here..that June will be in recovery and on her way back to us in record time…restored in health and ready to “rejoin the Frontline” with us.. His hands guide the Dr.’s..and HIS angels present with her in that surgical room and after..Praising in advance for Victory for June L! Thank YOU, JESUS!
Good morning ladies, as I read the replies my spirit went to the scriptures that says, all things happens for the good of them who love the Lord and who is called according to his purpose. Pray and ask the Lord to allow your husband to get through whatever lesson he needs to learn through this unchristlike behavior. Everything good and bad comes into ourlives for a reason and a season fo rthe purpose and true destingy the Lord is taking us. If he permits it to be so, it’s for usto go through and learn from it. It is probably a bigger picture where the Lord is making and proving us to the call. I will pray that your husband have the strength to learn and go through this time in his life of making as well as the indivudual that is mistreating chrstians. There are times we go through situations the Lord wants to kill in us (pride, humility or whatever the area is). Sometimes, the Lord may be wanting to remove one from a postion and be placed by a christian to treat others in a chrstlike manner. Whatever the case maybe we will lift it up in pray. It is a hard place to be….being mistreated. We don’t know why or what the Lord is doing I do know the Lord is in control and he allowed it for a reason. Be prayful as I pray for you and others that are mistreated for the gospel sake and remember the mistreatment the Lord himself had to endure. Know that we will come out as pure gold and he will not put on us anymore than what we can bear. I pray comfort to the Sister who lost her sister that you keep the cherished memeories and that her spirirt remain alive in you and thankful for the times you had with her. God bless you ladies and let’s keep each other up as we journey through this tedious journey in our dry places. And remeber the Lord is in the dry places too. Father God, in the your most precious name. I pray that you keep us all safe and protected from all evil influences. We trust in your Word, which asures us that you are our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, our shield, our stronghold, and our strength in whom we trust. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sorry too for your loss Bloodless Dzwairo. Be encouraged that she is now in the arms of Jesus. I really like the devotional today. There has been many times when I don’t know what to do and I cry out to the Lord and he never fails me. Jackie I too have a boss that seems to have favorites who seem to do any thing they want and the rest of us are treated very badly. It just amazes me how the ones who are treated badly are the ones who are the good workers. I was talking to a friend about this and we decided that he treats us the way he does because he knows if the good workers slack off that none of the work will get done. But it is so sad that it is that way because we are not stopping to work but we are not trying as hard. We get tired because we are expected to work harder to make up for the slackers. But praise God he is in control and he knows just what to do about it all we have to do is pray. Thank you Jesus.
I am very sorry for your loss Bloodless Dzwairo, and pray that God will comfort you and your family.
I loved this devotion and prayer. We have an awesome priviledge of turning over our burdens to the Lord and allowing Him to work. Like the hymn says “what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”.
Today I lost my elder sister due to a very lomg illness. Today’s devotional could not have come at a better time.
Thank you God.
Dorothy, I feel the same as you. I long for the discernment that you do. We do have the Holy Spirit to guide us today. I have a feeling that we are not alone it our struggle to hear our Lord’s voice in this busy, hectic world we live in. We must make time to hear His voice. He is faithful. That I know.
So many times in my life I have not known what to do in a situation.God has never failed to be there for me.I think the main thing I’ve learned from studying the people in the old testament is that not matter what the hardship Most praise God through it. I find it very hard to be depressed if I follow that example.If I look I can always find so many reasons to praise him,That makes life a whole lot better for me, when I don’t know what to do,or don’t know which way to go I can always find it in the instructions God’s given in his word.
Ladies, please pray for my husbands boss he seems to not like christains very much.He’s in a position that he can intimidate and belittle his workers.It’s a very large factory and he has bee given man made power over others to cause alot of families hardships.Please pray that God will intervein into this man’s life and the situations he’s causing there.
God bless you ,Ladies.
I am envious of those in the Bible who were able to actually hear God speak or get a direct order. Although sometimes the order was dangerous, like Jonah, or frightful, like Moses – at least it was a clear direction. It’s hard to muddle through the drudge of the day and stop to hear what God is telling you, especially when you have to be discerning that it’s actually God. I pray for that discernment. Thank you for your encouraging devotion.