"Our life is full of brokenness – broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God's faithful presence in our lives?"

-Henri Nouwen

God is able to keep us from falling- He holds us tight in His hand, and nothing in all creation can separate us from His love. God's sovereign, sustaining grace is always with us, always lifting us up and filling us with power to live for Him.

And how can we trust this promise? Not because of who we are—frail and failing—but because of who God is.

God is our glorious, majestic, powerful God, author of life and king of the universe. The Bible not only speaks of the loving promises of God, but of all His divine power that will accomplish those promises for us who believe.

"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savor be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

-Jude 1:24-25

[ from The Daily Verse Online ]

"Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, 'A vast Army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea.[...]Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him."

I was reading through 2 Chronicles in my personal devotions, and was struck by this story related in chapter 20 . Namely, I was struck by King Jehoshaphat's response to this terrifying news. Naturally, he was alarmed; there was a big army coming that was bent on destroying his beloved people. Yet, what does the text say he did?

Resolved to inquire of the Lord.

It doesn't say that he threw up his hands in despair, "Oh no! What am I going to do? How will we ever defend ourselves? We'll all be wiped out!" He didn't tear out his hair or cry loudly. He didn't call for his advisers and wise men or ring up his best friend. He didn't send a panicked message to hire troops from another country, as so many kings had done before him.

No, "he resolved to inquire of the Lord", first and foremost. Not second or third, but first. 

I regret that too often I have not followed the wise example of Jehoshaphat. Problems arise, gloom appears on the horizon, and in the first moments I crease my head with worry and cry tears in my pillow. I wonder what I can do to fix things, and I look everywhere for help – everywhere except to God.

After all the people came together, Jehoshaphat prayed a prayer, and he told the Lord exactly how things were.

"For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

We have no power. Our eyes are you. This should be our response to trouble. To cry out to God, to seek Him and say from our hearts, "I am helpless! I need you!"

And what happened to the people of Judah? God came through in an amazing way! I believe they were blessed in victory because they made God their first and only resort. God's deliverance was so marvelous that all the countries around stood up and took notice.

I have learned in my own life that no matter the problem, great or small, going to God as a first response reaps not only peace of the heart and mind, but a much better solution than provided elsewhere. God may direct us to other places and other people, but it's vital to seek Him, first and foremost. It is then that His wonders are most powerfully displayed.

So the next time you're facing a challenge like King Jehoshaphat, remember his first response. And let it be yours.