Article December 7, 1929 Issue

"Our eyes are upon thee"

ALICE GARDINER KNAPP

In the twentieth chapter of II Chronicles is found the beautiful story of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. The realm of Jehoshaphat was attacked by the hostile tribes of Moab, Ammon, and mount Seir. These tribes were large and powerful, while Jehoshaphat's people were few in number. The story tells us that Jehoshaphat gathered his people in front of the temple and prayed to God. After attributing all power to Him, Jehoshaphat recounted the difficulties to be surmounted, ending with this beautiful expression of trust: "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee."

Then to Jahaziel, the priest, came the answer to this prayer, the spiritual guidance and instruction which come to all of us when we ask rightly and in humility: "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not your's, but God's. ... Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord." Jehoshaphat then appointed singers to praise God for His mercy, and these singers were to go ahead of the army. A complete victory, we read, came to Judah; for the enemy, falling upon one another, were entirely destroyed.

What a wonderful lesson may be learned from this account! Jehoshaphat did not spend any time in bewailing the possible fate of his people or in condemnation of other kings who formerly spared this same enemy. He simply told his need to God and then trusted that this need would be met. How scientific is his prayer when studied in the light of Christian Science! There is no reliance upon mortal opinion, no outlining, no self-aggrandizement—just simple, childlike faith that God will protect His children, because Jehoshaphat could say, "Our eyes are upon thee."

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