Article September 3, 1927 Issue

Rejoicing, then Proof

FANNIE CHEEVER BURTON

Many portions of the Bible story of Jehoshaphat's deliverance from what seemed to be a powerful enemy are familiar to us, chief among them being God's message to him, "The battle is not yours, but God's." The entire story is, however, filled with helpful lessons to the one who through his understanding of Christian Science is seeking to destroy the foes of wrong thinking which assail him.

Word was brought to Jehoshaphat of the approach of the enemy, and he was afraid. In his fear he turned to God, sought Him, and proclaimed a fast. This proclamation demanded abstinence from materiality. And all the people gathered together to unite with him in asking help of the Lord. In this gathering together of the people, the form of Jehoshaphat's prayer is significant. It was interrogatory: "O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven?" It was an appeal, yet an acknowledgment and an affirmation. "In thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?" Then follows a rehearsal of former benefits and protection. He declares that the children of Israel had built a sanctuary for His name, and that they had declared that if they stood before His house and cried unto Him, He would help them; and now they needed that help. A note of questioning seems to creep in when he recalls that the very people who are threatening to attack them are they whom He, the Lord, had restrained them from attacking. He concludes his call for help with the words, "Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee."

In our journey as Christian Scientists from sense to Soul, when erroneous thoughts threaten to overwhelm us, we are led to turn to God, to fast from material thinking, and to affirm the all-presence and power of good. Perhaps, too, this wrong thinking which assails us seems to be manifested by those we have loved and befriended, and we may feel rebellious. Like Jehoshaphat we shall, however, find our help in yielding up our own will and sense of justice, and abiding in the declaration, "Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee."

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