SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008
This morning when I was listening to the radio, the lead singer of a band was speaking about something in the Bible that had made an impression on him. He was talking of King Jehoshaphat, in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat and his people were to go into battle with an army that was much bigger than they. But the word of the Lord was spoken through Jahaziel, who told them in verses 15-17: “ ‘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. …. Take your positions, stand firm, and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you” ’ “.
Upon reading these words, my first thought was that the people had to be in awe that the God of all creation would make a promise like that. How good would it feel to know in the depths of your soul that something that looked like it could only end up going horribly wrong was actually going to turn out in your favor?????? And then to hear the words, "For the battle is not yours but God’s”……. They didn’t have to strategize. They didn’t need to plan an escape route just in case things didn’t go according to plan. Because God was the One with the plan. And He promised that He would give them the victory.
The other thing that was said by the lead singer on the radio this morning was what really grabbed my attention. He said that Jehoshaphat sent the musicians out before the army. He went on to say that it didn’t seem quite right to send men out with no weapons in front of the men who were all geared up for the fight. But he pointed out that God doesn’t operate how we would. 2 Chronicles 20:20-24 says, “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.’ After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying, 'Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.’ 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. The men of Ammon rose up against the men of Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 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.”
Without one soldier having to lift a finger, the enemies of Jerusalem and Judah were defeated. And it happened because the people praised God before He had even done what He said He would do. They believed, and they responded in faith, singing to the Lord with their whole hearts. And because the people put their trust in Him and praised Him, God proved that He is indeed faithful to keep His promises! And He proved that He can and will accomplish what He set out to do with or without us. He does not need us to make things happen! We need Him!! And I want to remember to praise Him in every circumstance in my life. Because He has promised that He has a hope and a good future for me. And He has promised that He does all things for the good of those who love Him. So whatever it is that each day will bring, I want to be sure to let Him know that I believe Him and that I trust Him with all my heart. And then I’m going to sit back and watch as He brings victory in every battle of my life.
POSTED BY KRISTIN AT 3:28 PM