2 Chronicles 20:1-23 Study Guide: Our Eyes Are on God

Community Group Study Guide — Our Eyes Are On God
2 Chronicles 20:1-23

Learning Helplessness
2 Chronicles 20:1-12
Throughout the “kingdom period” of Israel’s history, God reminded them of his power and might and their need to trust him. That reminder often happened through military threats that emphasized Judah’s helplessness. We live in a fairly secure part of the world during a mostly secure time. It may not feel like that, but compared to the ancient world things today are safer than at many points throughout history. In our text we read that three groups joined together to threaten the southern kingdom of Judah. The Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites formed what our text called a “great multitude” or “great horde” (2 Chron 20:2, 12, 15). Jehoshaphat knew that he did not have the power or resources to defeat them on his own and he did what any faithful king would do, he sought the Lord. 

Let’s notice four things about his prayer to God in verses 5-12. 
First, Jehoshaphat called a fast as he called the people to assemble. Fasting puts us into a place of dependance and helplessness before God as we’re humbled and reminded our how needy we are as created beings. 

Second, Jehoshaphat reminded the assembly of Judah about God’s power and might. The prayer began with God’s rule and reign over all the kingdoms of the world and moved to his past support of Israel in the face of danger. The people needed to remember that this problem was not too big for God and that God had fought for them in the past by driving out the hostile nations of the Land. 

Third, there was a call to action. Jehoshaphat called them to cry out to God in the face of this threat (2 Chron 20:9-10). Just like the people of the past cried out to God for help, so too they cry out to God in their affliction with an assurance that God will hear them and save them. 

Finally, there is an assurance about God’s ability and desire to help his people. God will execute judgment on their enemies and even though they do not know what to do, they pledged to keep their eyes on God (2 Chron 20:12). The idea of keeping eyes on God is a reminder of trust and something we see modeled in little kids looking to their parents for certainty and assurance in difficult times. God is steadfast and does not change, and just as he responded to his people’s affliction in the past so too will he respond to their affliction in the present. 

We do not like to feel helpless, but God is gracious to bring these times into our lives because they are often the times when our prayer life and faith flourish. 

Trusting God, While Following His Ways
2 Chronicles 20:13-23
God responded to their prayer through one of the prophets. Judah was told to go out as if for battle, but not to fight (2 Chron 20:16). They were to form ranks and hold position but instead of fighting they needed to just “see the salvation of the Lord.” Can you imagine being in that situation? There is part of you that knows intellectually that God is trustworthy, but another part of you that still wonders if he will come through this time. That is the wrestle of faith, moving from theory to real life circumstance. God desired for them to see so that their faith would be strengthened. He could had defeated the army without telling them or showing them but instead he desired they experience the victory. Knowing their doubts and nerves Jehoshaphat reminded them on the way to the battlefield, “believe in the LORD your God, believe in his prophets… you will be established, you will succeed (2 Chro 20:20).” Notice, that Jehoshaphat also filled their army with singers who were repeating the chorus “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever,” which is a line that repeats over and over again in a place like Psalm 136. 

The result, God had the enemy armies attack and destroy one another. This is something God did multiple times in the Hebrew scripture, it seems like it was one of his favorite methods of taking care of the enemy army.  

Deliverance came to Judah as they trusted God and followed his ways. They were to keep their eyes on him and believe in God’s word and put it into practice in an unconventional way…, with going out to battle ready to not fight and singing as they went to remind themselves of God’s covenantal love. 

It is important to note that the faith of the people of God was built up by witnessing God’s power at work in their helplessness. If you look back over your walk with God, it is likely that you have similar moments where you were not sure how God would act or help, but you were required to trust him and were called to faithful actions of dependence and prayer; and now you look back with a stronger faith. 

What Does Dependance Look Like For Us?
As we think about our church in 2025, we want to be in that uncomfortable tension of recognizing our helplessness and keeping out eyes on God. We are helpless to change health outcomes, helpless when it comes to revival in our town, helpless with putting to death every sin issue that faces our congregation. But God is strong when we are weak. Our hope is that this helplessness will call us to greater pray, trust and God-honoring action as a church.

What can you do?
First, get more specific in your prayers. We’re going to ask the church to be praying for 5-10 people specifically throughout this year. Pray for them to respond to the gospel, grow in faith or gain victory of specific sin areas in their lives. 

Second, fast to remind yourself that you’re dependent on God. Fasting is a great way to grow in humility as you have a recurring reminder of your dependance through the experience of hunger. It is not like God looks down from heaven and sees your devotion and is then finally persuaded to act, rather, it is a way for us to demonstrate trust and remind ourselves of our own need as we pray.  

Third, look back over the last few years and spend some time reflecting on God’s faithfulness. We can be quick to overlook what he has done in the past or to be discontent with how things are in the present, that we forget the power and might of God. 

At your community group:
Take 15-20 minutes to share about how God has been at work in your life, prayer concerns and pray for one another.

How did God speak to you through the scripture and the sermon this week? 

Discussion Questions:
2 Chronicles 20:1-23

Describe the situation that faced Jehoshaphat and Judah. How was the enemy army described? What did the people of Judah feel in response to this challenge?

What are some of the key components of Jehoshaphat’s prayer? 

Do people typically like feeling helpless? Are there any spiritual benefits to recognizing your helplessness?

What are some significant ways God showed you his power and might over the last few years? Why would reminding yourself of this help strengthen your faith?