Scripture:
2 Chronicles 20:1-4 ESV
[1] After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. [2] 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). [3] Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. [4] And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah, they came to seek the Lord
Observation:
Jehoshaphat was a king after the heart of GOD. The Bible’s description of him expresses that he was much like King David. This particular group of verses confirms that. A report came to him that an army was approaching for war. It was no small matter. 3 different nations had joined forces with the intent to dethrone Jehoshaphat and destroy his kingdom. Jehoshaphats’ heart was stricken and a little fear set in. However, he did the one thing he knew to do and got on his face before the LORD. Through fasting and praying, he sought an answer from the one with all the answers. Encouraging all who were in his kingdom to do the same. The answer came back. Don’t be afraid of the battle. It’s not yours to fight. GOD will deliver you. After being given a set of instructions, Jehoshaphat did what he was told, and victory was given to him and his kingdom. Jehoshaphat did not let his emotions decide for him he allowed the LORD to do that. Turns out that’s the best way to do things
Application:
How often is prayer a last resort, not the first response? When we are faced with a problem, do we allow that problem to consume our thoughts, or do we hit our knees? Approaching our father should be an immediate reaction, not a last resort. HE is the one with all the answers. What an amazing GOD HE is… knowing that we would be lost without Him, He gave us an instruction book for life. HE is willing to repeat what we need to hear over and over so we can get it. Our job is to pray and seek HIS face. HIS job is to assure us that the battle belongs to HIM. Our confidence is in HIS faithfulness. None of this is about our ability to do anything. It’s all about HIM, and if we seek HIM and HIS righteousness, first HE will take care of the rest. My bible reads something like this… trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding acknowledge HIM in all your ways, and HE will make your path straight. That means pray… put HIM in the center of all your decisions, don’t let fear motivate you to panic. Slow down and pray. In all things, seek what HE would have you do. That’s the only way I have found to not go wrong.
Prayer:
Father, we know that we get caught up in how we feel and miss the fact that you are fighting for us. We need only acknowledge you in every aspect of our life. Help us to remember that prayer is there as a means of submitting to your will for us, and if we would just bring all of our lives to you in prayer, we would find that you are fighting for us, and we need only to trust in you. I can see how this life is not about us. It’s all you. If it were about us, you would have made Abraham a great nation in his lifetime. But you fulfilled your promise through his grandson. Just another show of how you never forget about us. Your promises will always come true. What your word says you will do. I know that if you say you are fighting my battle that all I need to do is suit up in prayer and give you glory because that is exactly how we fight. On our knees. We love you, LORD, and our hope is that our actions show you that. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.