The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-10-25
TIE PEOPLES FORUM.
Face 10 Face With the Emergencies
Of Life.

In my former letter | used Jeho
shaphat as an illustration Of this sub
ject. You will recall that | spoke of
what he did not do. In this I want to
call your attention to what he did DO.
The first thing he did when he reahz-
ed his predicament, and that he must
face an army three times the size Of his
OWE, was to call his people to a fast.
He Proclaimed fast. This is an old
time custom that was rigidly observed,
as a means Of grace and it was in re-
ahty to those who properly kept it.
Though 1t has fallen out CT practice, 1t
is none the less a healthy dlscIplin for
the soul. 1t tends to affect the soul and
bring 1t into proper state before God.
This led to the second thing he did, viz
he humbeled himself. He did not
direct the people what to do, Will he
excused himself but he set the example
by humbling himself before his God and
his people. 1t isn't an easy matter for
one to humble himself even privately,
but to do this publicly, tries mems soul,
for it takes grit. This course would be
far more effective than for him to
direct the people to do it, whilst he
spared himself this painful duty. The
result was general humblng of them
selves on the part of the people, and
getting right with God. 1t meant
putting away all known sin. Now he is
in position when he can draw near to
God in prayer. This is his next slip.
He prayed. He was not content to do
this on the sly or secretly, but he did 1t
openly, in the presence of his people.
That was a splendid example for his
people. How they must have admired
their King who thus confessed his
weakness and sought the help of the
only one who could deliver him and his
people. His action reminds US of
Abraham and Moses, of Jacob and
Daniel. We think to of Cromwell and
his army when IN great straits and
special danger, how the great leader,
| earnestly led his army to the throne for
help and deliverance. Nor can we help
wondering at the wonderful manner in
which they were saved. The Lord sent
dense fog, so that the enemy, though
they were just across the hill, could not
find them. Tennyson was quite right
when he said More things are wrought
by prayer, than this world dreams of. B"
How logical it was for him then,
after this, to trust in God. He showed
his trust by gong forward. There
wouldn't have been much trust, had he
sat down after praying and said, now
I'll wait and see what the Lord will do,
He did the common sense thing. He
tried to answer his own prayers. He
could say with the psalmist. mime
eyes are towards the Lord" 81 will
lift up mine eyes to the hills, whence
cometh my strength" He took hold
of the promise by which his prayer was
/, answered, Eye shall not need to fight in
this battle: Let your selves, stand we
still, and see the salvation of Jehovah
with you, o Judah and Jerusalem; fear
not nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out
against them; for Jehovah is with you"
They accepted it with such faith that
JOY and thanksgiving were Immediately
forth coming. They acknowledged it;
they were thankful for it and did what
they could to effect it.
We may. at some time, find ourselves
in serious peril without it's being any
fault of our own. Judah lid not pro-
woke the assault. The emergency may