On a recent hike in Spain my wife and I found ourselves on a narrow path with a steep drop to one side. Neither of us realized this section would be so precarious (although the name of this region should have clued us in—Costa da Morte—the Coast of Death). Beauty pulled my eyes upward, but I forced my attention back to the trail. We carefully picked our steps, leaning away from ledge and praying between breaths.

In desperate situations most everyone mouths a prayer. It’s said there are no atheists in foxholes, meaning the fear of imminent death sparks hope in an unconsidered God. Many of us pray when walking a ledge. We often find the Lord at the end of our wits.

The nation of Judah faced a desperate situation with an invading army rolling across the land. The king declared a fast and prayed in public. The people gathered with him—All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.

I love this picture of looking to the Lord. These weren’t perfect people—far from it. But in their time of need they gathered everyone, even the babies, and stood together asking God to intervene.

God responded and averted disaster. The coalition of invaders fell apart, turned upon each other and wiped themselves out. The people of Judah gathered again and remembered this line from the Psalms: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Even if you haven’t done so for awhile, it’s ok to approach our God—he’s patient through our wanderings. Because with no where else to turn, it’s time to turn to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20 & Psalm 20 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo from our hike on the Costa da Morte (click on title to see the photo if you’re reading this on email).