Things looked glum. The King of Judah was outnumbered. A vast army was headed toward his land, bent on destroying everyone and everything in its path.
I am going to tell you how things turned out, but as I do, please consider all that Jehoshaphat did serves as good advice for us when we are feeling overwhelmed.
He prayed and fasted: “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20: 3
He motivated others to pray: “4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” 2 Chronicles 20: 3
He reminded people of who God is: “5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said: “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. 7 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?” 2 Chronicles 20: 5-7
He opened his heart to the Lord’s counsel: 15 He (God) said: “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. 16 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. 17 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.’” 2 Chronicles 20: 15-17
He encouraged others to have faith: 18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 2 Chronicles 20: 18-20
He praised God during the battle: 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21
He trusted God to do the unexpected: “22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.” 2 Chronicles 20:22-24
He remembered to praise God after the battle for all of the blessings: “ 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing[d] and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:25-26
He entered into God’s peace and rest: 29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
What an amazing account of God’s deliverance! I bet you didn’t see that coming! Yet, that is how God works, for His thoughts are greater than our thoughts, and His ways are greater than our ways.
When reading what happened to Jehoshaphat, we might be prone to think, “Boy, he was some man of faith and that was why God helped him and Judah”. Well, he was a man of great faith sometimes, but he had his sins, shortcomings and failings just like us, and yet God still heard his prayers and moved His mighty right hand on his behalf. You don’t have to be faultless or sinless to have God answer your prayers, for He is sovereign and He will decide what is done with each person’s prayers and life. He does however want us to be holy, for He is holy.
So, next time you are feeling overwhelmed, say the name Jehoshaphat to yourself, and be reminded that your battle belongs to the Lord.
For Jesus,
Rob