“God lets himself be won over by the trust we put in him.” (Jacques Philippe, p. 17 of The School of the Holy Spirit)
In 2 Chron. 20 the Moabites and Ammonites, a vast army, came together for war against King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Alarmed, the king appealed to God, reminding Him of His promises, because the king had “no power” and “did not know what to do.” Yet he determined that his eyes would be lifted to the Lord for His power and for His answer. That is trust at its simplest. God is so attracted to our confidence in Him - when our inner vision of Him is one of a good God Who is with us, who fights for us and who always has a solution. God’s response was to speak through a prophet, reminding the assembly that the battle was His, they only had to stand firm and refuse discouragement and they would see the victory. So they began to worship and the next morning entered the battle singing of His holiness and His enduring love. When the victory came, they named the place the Valley of Blessing.
When we expect Him to act of our behalf (Isa. 64:4) because He is love, and when we are convinced of that, we set ourselves to receive from Him. He never fails because He is “…the one who remains faithful…” (Isa. 26:2-3). He is always faithful and that can never change. This is why Isaiah could then say: “the steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts You.” Trust is the precursor to remaining faithful and steadfast. Peace then becomes a settled attitude of mind.
In the Christian life we have an elegant solution. When we have no power and no answer, we can choose to look to Him. Because we know the battle is His we station ourselves, engaging in praise and worship, trusting with all our heart that He will show Himself victorious. God is attracted to our trust that doesn’t waver, that stays the course despite circumstances, fears and opposition. When we trust even when it is hard, staying sensitive to the movements of the Holy Spirit, we find we gain greater grace and strengthening is given to us. When the victory comes, it is our Valley of Blessing.
