What battle are you facing today? Battles come in all shapes and sizes. From arguments with family and friends, trying to gain control over to-do lists or the things on your daily calendar, to serious health issues, as humans we are usually battling something every day. As believers we also understand that we are in a spiritual battle between the forces of good (God and His truth) and the lies of the enemy. Engaging in any type of battle can be exhausting. It drains us, and we usually respond to a fight in one of three ways: look for an escape, give up and be defeated, or fight. But as believers in Christ we have a fourth choice: turn to God, surrender and realize the battle belongs to the Lord.
Journey with me into the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 17 as we look at the life of King Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became King of Judah after a period of wickedness in the land. Unlike many of his predecessors, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord. He began teaching the Word of God throughout Judah, he did not seek the Baals, and God’s favor was upon him as king. It was a time of peace and prosperity.
Story of a King
Several years into his reign, Jehoshaphat traveled down into Israel to see King Ahab. Ahab was an evil king who sought power over the neighboring lands. He was particularly interested in going to war against Ramoth-gilead and he induced Jehoshaphat to join him and his armies in the battle. Jehoshaphat was a bit too quick to join Ahab, but had the good sense to seek the word of the Lord before doing anything else. Despite an unfavorable message from God’s prophet Micaiah, the kings and their men went up against Ramoth-gilead, Jehoshaphat’s life was spared and Ahab was killed.
Years later Jehoshaphat found himself in another battle when the Moabites, Ammonites and some of the Meunites came against him. The text tells us that a “great multitude” came against the King and he was afraid (20:2-4). Filled with fear and not knowing what to do, Jehoshaphat and the people sought the Lord’s help.
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. (2 Chronicles 20: 2-4)
God’s loving response was to calm their fears and assure them that this was not their battle to fight, but His.
And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)
Standing firm and worshipping God, King Jehoshaphat and his army were victorious over the enemy.
What can we learn from this story?
Seek God’s Guidance First
In both of these battles Jehoshaphat sought the wisdom and the guidance of God. He did not rely on his own understanding of the situation nor on his own feelings. When overcome with fear, Jehoshaphat’s FIRST response was to turn to God and pray. Despite having no idea what to do, he and the people kept their eyes on the Lord.
God Is With You
Can you imagine just how fearful and uncertain the King and his armies must have been? Facing an attack with no clue or battle plan in place would have anyone paralyzed. But God…
God reminded them that He is their strength and that He was with them. They were not alone.
Respond in Worship
Immediately the King bowed his head in worship, face to the ground, He appointed men to sing and praise the Lord and when they went into battle the next morning they were victorious.
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. (2 Chronicles 20: 18-23)
I don’t know what battles you are facing today, but take encouragement from Jehoshaphat. If you don’t know what to do, seek the guidance of God. If you are paralyzed with fear, seek the Lord in prayer, give your fears to Him and realize that the battle belongs to the Lord. No matter what you are facing, respond in worship. We serve a good, loving God. He never leaves or forsakes us. Praise Him today.
“Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:21b)
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