I was reminded recently of the Old Testament story of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, in second Chronicles 2. He was described as someone who sought God, and who “did not seek after the Baals.” Chapter 17 says “The Lord established the kingdom in his hand.”
Jehoshaphat had “great riches and honor.” At one point he allied himself with Ahab, one of the most wicked rulers of Israel. Together they went up against the people of Ramoth-Gilead, despite a prophetic warning that it would not end well for Ahab. Ahab was indeed struck in battle and died, while Jehoshaphat returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.
After that victory, Jehoshaphat fortified the cities and placed judges in them for the good of the people. All was well.
Soon various tribes rose up against Jehoshaphat. The Moabites and Ammonites were described to him by his leaders as “a great multitude…coming against you from beyond the sea.”
The Scripture says that “Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast against Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3). All the people assembled to “seek help from the Lord.” Jehoshaphat stood in the house of the Lord and prayed.
He began, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in Heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”
~ARE YOU NOT?
His next statement is, “Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” He reminds God that they built a house for Him, and Jehoshaphat vows that even if disaster comes, they will stand in the house before God, “…for your name is in this house.”
~DID YOU NOT?
He then tells God about the threat from the men of Ammon, Moab and Mount Sier. Then comes the next question, “Will you not execute judgement on them? For we are powerless against this great hoard that is coming against us.
~WILL YOU NOT?
Like many of us have done at some points in our lives, he prays, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
Then came a word from the Lord through Jahaziel, a Levite. He said, “Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” He gives instructions to go up against the enemy the next day. He says they will not even need to fight but simply stand firm and hold their position. He promises the Lord will be with them.
They went out early the next morning, and Jehoshaphat said, “Believe in the Lord your God and you will be established.”
He then appointed the singers to go before the army and they marched ahead and said,
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
And the Scripture says, “WHEN they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir.”
The groups began to fight each other and were destroyed without Jehoshaphat’s army ever lifting a finger.
If we look back on our lives, we will see how we are able to pray a similar prayer.
ARE YOU NOT? – You are Creator of all and worthy of our praise.
DID YOU NOT? You have worked time and again in our lives; we just have to remember.
WILL YOU NOT? You are with us now, and you will do it again!
There are so many lessons we can take away from this story.
Here are a few:
~When you don’t know what to do, keep your eyes on the Lord
~Don’t be afraid, but trust in God
~In every circumstance, the battle is the Lord’s
~Victory follows praise
~You don’t have to fight; you just have to stand
Life By The Way 