As long as we are in this present world, we will have problems. Some have thought that once they became a Christian, they wouldn’t have any more problems. I wish that were true, but it is not.
In 2 Chronicles 20, we read how Judah was surrounded, something like Israel is today. An alliance of her enemies has been formed and is coming against her. This alliance of nations included the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites. They declared war on King Jehoshaphat. He received word that they were on their way to do battle with him and his people. The odds were clearly not in his favor. Some of the enemies who come our way are financial, spiritual, marital, vocational, relational — and others.
I believe the LORD put the account of Jehoshaphat and his people in the Bible to reveal to us several vital principles to help us when we face these enemies.
A. The first thing we need to do is identify our enemy.
This might seem obvious, but my own experience is that many people do not know. Our main enemy is Satan. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, we read, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of trials.”
Sometimes we think that the enemy is a person who is trying to take something from us — our job, our spouse, our money, but very often our enemy is our own attitude. It is not the situation so much as it is our response to the situation.
Notice in verse 3 how Jehoshaphat reacted, “Jehoshaphat was terrified and begged the LORD for guidance. This is a common response to our problems or situations. We talk ourselves into fear. “What’s going to happen to me? I’m afraid!” Fear is not bad unless we respond to it in the wrong way. Fear can actually motivate us to look for ways to conquer the problem.
B. I think another thing we need to do is admit our inadequacy. Jehoshaphat, in 2 Chronicles 20:12, said, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do.” I believe there is only one kind of person that God doesn’t help — it’s the person who doesn’t think he needs God’s help.
I love the last statement in verse 12, “but we are looking to you for help.” He is the only one who can truly solve our problems. If we keep our eyes on the LORD, we will win over our circumstances. In Zechariah 4:6, we read, “Then He said to me, ‘This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel. It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.’” We need to let the Holy Spirit live in us and through us.
C. The next thing Jehoshaphat did was call the people to a fast and to prayer. In 2 Chronicles 20:3-4, we read, “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.” Here we see a very important principle — we need to take our problems to the LORD in prayer. So many times, this is the last thing we do. What a mistake! That is the first thing we should do. As we go to the Lord in prayer, thank Him for the ways He has helped you in the past. Then say, “Lord, I believe you will help me with what I am facing now.”
D. Once you have prayed, relax in faith and watch to see how God is going to respond to your need. Listen to how God responded to Jehoshaphat’s prayer. In 2 Chronicles 20:15, God said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s.” Don’t you just love that? God is saying to you and me today, “You are my child and I love you. Just rest in Me and I will take care of your problem.”
If God says, “This is not your fight — it’s mine.” Then don’t try to fight God’s battle in your own strength because you will be defeated. God says, “Rest in Me and let Me work through you.” In Colossians 2:6, Paul wrote, “As you received Christ Jesus as LORD, continue to live in Him.” None of us became a Christian by working really hard at being good, by promising to be perfect, or by doing our very best. The Bible clearly says that “no one is saved by good works.” Paul, in Ephesians 2:8, wrote, “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this: it is a gift from God.” So let God manage your life. In 1 Corinthians 15:57, Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory. Folks – God has never lost a battle and He never will!
· In 2 Chronicles 20:17, God said to Jehoshaphat, “But you will not even need to fight. Take your position; 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!” Are you a believer? Then never forget – The lord is with you. He says, “Face your enemy, but it’s really my battle and I will fight for you!”
E. Another important thing — thank God in advance for giving you the victory.
In 2 Chronicles 20:20-21, we read of how they prepared to face the enemy. “Early the next morning, the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way, Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in His prophets and you will succeed.” After consulting the people, the King appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD, and praising Him for His holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; His faithful love endures forever!”
If you read the rest of the story, you will discover that when the choir began to sing and praise the LORD, the enemies became confused and began to attack each other, and they killed each other. There were no survivors. When Jehoshaphat went to see what had happened, all he found were bodies lying everywhere. It took the King and his people four days to collect all the plunder.
God is really pleased when we thank Him in advance for how He is going to meet our needs. That is real faith. Are there victories you have never thanked God for? Why don’t you do that right now? He will bless you again. I have loved the account of Jehoshaphat. I hope it is a blessing to you.
Blessings,
Pastor Leonard
