(Preached in Kilskeery FPC by Rev Ivan Foster, 22nd October 2017 in the evening meeting)

Scripture: "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD," 2 Chronicles 20:3-4.

There are few today who recognise the crisis that is upon the nation. Not even, indeed, least of all, the leaders of our nation.

It is a wonderfully easy thing to denounce government leaders for their faults and failures but let every Christian, who is a citizen, be aware that we all must bear some responsibility for what has taken place within our nation. Who can say, "I did all that was possible, my hands are clean"! Very few if any can make that claim.

It is only when we recognise our duty and seek to do all in our power to stand for the "crown rights of King Jesus and the crown jewels of His Gospel" that we are brought to the place where we say with Paul: "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men," Acts 20:26. Have we been as faithful as this?

I wish to set before us all our duty in this day of national crisis. No clearer demonstration of our primary duty can be had than in this chapter. Here Jehoshaphat acted wisely and courageously and we must learn from him for are these things not written for our learning, Rom 15:4?