I was reading last night In 2 Chronicles 20 about King Jehoshaphat's actions when faced with an upcoming battle. There are several things that happened that stood out to me. The King was afraid. His first action when faced with an upcoming challenge was to seek the Lord and to fast. The fast was not only for himself, but for all of Judah and even the surrounding cities. Jehoshaphat realized the battle was not his alone to fight. So often when facing a challenge, we enter in without seeking God or sharing with those who are willing to go into battle with us.
Jehoshaphat stood before those gathered and prayed:
“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’
“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? 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 on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:6-12
Notice when he begins his prayer he does not immediately launch into sharing the needs of his people. He begins by acknowledging God and who God is and all He does. I feel he was not reminding God of His previous accomplishments, but reminding himself and those listening to his prayer. We need to do the same thing when experiencing a time of anxiety. Think back over the times in your life you have seen God move and list them as a reminder to all He has done already. Just like Jehoshaphat, humble yourself enough to admit you "do not know what to do," but your eyes are on Him.
The next scriptures give us the details of those gathered. All of Judah, including their wives and children, were within hearing. The Spirit of God spoke through Jahaziel saying, “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (vs 15-17)
This is a great reminder to all of us to remember that the battles are not ours, but the Lords. We can often become so focused on the trial that we rely on our own strength and willpower in order to win the fight. In response to this word from God, the people did not boast. They did not celebrate in knowing God was on their side. Verse 18 tells us, "Jehoshaphat bowed with is face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him. The Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting in a loud voice." Even as they were going into battle there were people appointed specifically for singing for God and some to praise His holiness! They sang "Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever."
What might happen if we faced our battles in a similar fashion? What if instead of whining and complaining about our circumstances we bowed to God and sang songs of praise? What if our trust was fully in God rather than in our own abilities? In this story of scripture those coming to battle against Jehoshaphat turned against each other and the plunder was more than the people could even carry! God not only made them victorious, but sent them home "richer" than they were before the battle!
How will you fight your next battle?
Jehoshaphat stood before those gathered and prayed:
“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’
“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? 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 on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:6-12
Notice when he begins his prayer he does not immediately launch into sharing the needs of his people. He begins by acknowledging God and who God is and all He does. I feel he was not reminding God of His previous accomplishments, but reminding himself and those listening to his prayer. We need to do the same thing when experiencing a time of anxiety. Think back over the times in your life you have seen God move and list them as a reminder to all He has done already. Just like Jehoshaphat, humble yourself enough to admit you "do not know what to do," but your eyes are on Him.
The next scriptures give us the details of those gathered. All of Judah, including their wives and children, were within hearing. The Spirit of God spoke through Jahaziel saying, “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (vs 15-17)
This is a great reminder to all of us to remember that the battles are not ours, but the Lords. We can often become so focused on the trial that we rely on our own strength and willpower in order to win the fight. In response to this word from God, the people did not boast. They did not celebrate in knowing God was on their side. Verse 18 tells us, "Jehoshaphat bowed with is face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him. The Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting in a loud voice." Even as they were going into battle there were people appointed specifically for singing for God and some to praise His holiness! They sang "Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever."
What might happen if we faced our battles in a similar fashion? What if instead of whining and complaining about our circumstances we bowed to God and sang songs of praise? What if our trust was fully in God rather than in our own abilities? In this story of scripture those coming to battle against Jehoshaphat turned against each other and the plunder was more than the people could even carry! God not only made them victorious, but sent them home "richer" than they were before the battle!
How will you fight your next battle?
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