Who knows what the year ahead holds?  Who knows what decisions will have to be made?  Who knows what troubles we may have?  There will be plenty of times when we don’t know what to do.  But we have no reason to fear if we keep our eyes on God!

As I read about Jehoshaphat, I was really struck by something he prayed. At a time of great crisis, he says to God, ‘we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you’ (2 Chronicles 20:12). I have actually made that our motto verse for this year in church.

Who knows what the year ahead holds? Who knows what decisions will have to be made? Who knows what troubles we may have? There will be plenty of times when we don’t know what to do. But we have no reason to fear if we keep our eyes on God!

A good leader gets people to look to the Bible.

Jehoshaphat was king of the southern kingdom, Judah. I think it is best to say he was an inconsistent king. However, he started well. When he came to the throne he did not consult the Baals. He ignored the folk religion and superstitions of the day. Instead he sought God and followed God’s commands. He sent teachers to instruct the people in God’s Word. God blessed his rule.

A good leader looks to God to set our agenda.

So, I was shocked when I read the beginning of chapter eighteen. All was going so well under Jehoshaphat’s rule and then he makes a marriage alliance with Ahab, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab was not a good king, and Israel was a military and spiritual danger for Judah. Why did he do this? Why is he looking to them for help? Why is not trusting God alone?

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