“After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.) Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help. Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”
2 Chronicles 20:1-6 NLT
Good morning saints of the Most High God! Did your day begin as expected? Quiet, calm, everything and everyone was cooperating with your plans for today? You had a great time in the presence of Jesus (if that is how you start your day) then the phone rings, or the text message pops up, and your peaceful day takes a turn in the opposite direction. That is exactly what happened with Jehoshaphat’s quiet morning. The news wasn’t good. As a matter of fact it was very bad. As much as he was terrified by what he had heard, he did something most of us forget to do when hell breaks loose: He sought the Lord. Not only did he seek God, he proceeded to rehearse everything he knew of his God. The entire chapter speaks of all the ways God had shown Himself favorably not only towards Judah, but to the very people who were about to invade their territory. I especially liked the words of verse twelve. “We do not know what to do, we are powerless against this great army, but our eyes are on You.” That’s the best place to fix our eyes when we receive bad news. By praying from victory to the God who no one can stand against, Jehoshaphat received a word in season. We’ll never hear Him in a panic, but we’ll hear Him when we pray.
Jehoshaphat didn’t take matters into his own hands, he and all those with him brought their fear and anxiety before the Lord. Because we belong to Him, anyone that comes against us is actually coming against Him. There’s nothing wrong with rehearsing or going over the things that are crucial to our breakthrough. There’s also nothing wrong with reminding our faithful God that we have not forgotten about who He is and the things He has done and promised to do. God had shown favor to the people who were aligned against Jehoshaphat and the Israelites. As a matter of fact they were spared when all the other nations were being destroyed. Isn’t that just like us. We have short memories of the good things God has done for us.
Verse one begins with these words “after this” after what? After everything had returned to a sense of calm and normalcy. The work of restoration had been done, leaders had been put in place. Everything was looking up. Then wham. The enemy shows up. Never underestimate your enemy. Never let your guard down, not even for a second. I heard a preacher say that after every victory prepare for war. Jehoshaphat travelled from city to city encouraging the people, you may read that account in chapter 19. But never underestimate the power of our God. No one was expecting what came next. But the enemy was ill prepared for what was about to happen.
Let’s read verse six again; “He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!” 2 Chronicles 20:6 NLT
God always has a strategy to defeat our enemy, when we acknowledge who He is. No matter how dark the night or how bleak the situation may seem. Always remember that no one can stand against our God. They fasted and prayed and the God who cannot be defeated spoke up. In the worst of times, or even in the best of times, Never move forward without a sure word from God. He knows every move the enemy will make. He knows their strategy. Pray and stand still. Wait for His instructions. The scripture says only with our eyes, not our weapons, will we see what God will do to our enemies. Psalm 91:8 Jehoshaphat’s admission of not knowing what to do was his first step towards victory. Then he sealed it by placing his confidence in the only help he knew. Never trust your battles to anyone else but the Lord.
“As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”
2 Chronicles 20:13-17 NLT
Child of God that’s the word of the Lord for you today. No matter what you’re currently facing, you can trust that your situation is no match for your God. Before you entered the battle your victory was secured. Your first response may be fear, but don’t settle there. Do what Jehoshaphat did. It’s a winning strategy. God is near to those who call unto Him in truth or sincerity of heart. Psalm 145:18. Do not be afraid. For the Lord is with you. What comfort those words must’ve brought to all the people and Jehoshaphat. One timely word from the Lord changes everything. Here’s what the Lord will do for you.
“At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.”
2 Chronicles 20:22-24 NLT
How about that! They never lifted a finger and you won’t either. Trust the word the Lord has given you. Don’t deviate from it. Don’t discuss it with anyone. Just stand still and worship and praise the God that no one is able to stand against. Amen!
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
June 29, 2021