Imagine a battle you might be facing: a sick child, a job lost, a family member who is not a Christian, loneliness, illness, loss of your home, or a nation in disarray. What would be your response? In 2 Chronicles 20, we read about King Jehoshaphat's response to the news that Israel was about to be attacked by three formidable enemies.
Jehoshaphat’s Prayer: Trusting God in Hard Times
Jehoshaphat, ever faithful to God, was afraid. Anyone with good sense would have been. Israel stood no chance against these enemies. But Jehoshaphat didn't continue in fear; he sought God and proclaimed a fast throughout all the land of Judah.
He went before the people, standing in the house of the Lord, and prayed a powerful prayer. He prayed, saying to God, "Do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations?" He spoke of the power and might of God and how no one can stand against Him. Jehoshaphat prayed that regardless of what they faced—"sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine"—when they cried to God, he would hear them and save them. We can also draw strength from Jehoshaphat's prayer: trusting God in hard times. It serves as a role model for each of us.
Jehoshaphat's prayer reminded the people that God gave them their land, drove out their enemies, and promised to judge anyone who tried to take it away. Jehoshaphat realized, as many of us often do, that we have no power to change our circumstances and don’t know what to do. Yet he declares, 'Our eyes are upon you.' Jehoshaphat didn't look at his circumstances—he looked at God.
Seeking God Through Prayer and Fasting
When we face insurmountable problems, we can seek God, fast and pray. We can remind ourselves of all the times the Lord was there for us. We can be thankful. We can trust God to be faithful to His promises. What if this Thanksgiving our prayer was one of remembrance? We remembered the many blessings that God has given us.
A Prayer of Remembrance and Thanksgiving
My personal prayer would sound like this:
Dear Jesus, You are my blessed Savior, my friend forever. It is you Lord who gave me children and a family that I longed for when it seemed impossible. You Lord, who healed my husband and I of cancer. You almighty Father who brought me back into right paths and you who uphold me in my weakness. My eyes are upon you, for there is none like you. When I cry to you, you hear me. You are mighty to save when all seems hopeless. I have no power, but you have all power.
In Jesus's name, Amen
What would your prayer of remembrance be like? Why are we afraid to share that with our family?
God’s Victory: The Battle Belongs to Him
As all of Judah stood there, men, women and children, God answered the king's prayer. The Holy Spirit came upon a man called Jahaziel and he began to prophesy. He told those gathered that the battle wasn't theirs, but God's. Oh that we could say that about our battles! That they are God's! The Lord told them through Jahaziel that they would win without even having to fight.
So often we struggle and try to think of solutions ourselves without listening to God. Maybe we don't even have to fight. Maybe we can just trust God. Hearing these words from Jahaziel, the king and all the people bowed down before the Lord. The Levites, alone, stood and praised God loudly. Jehoshaphat told the people, believe, and you will be established; believe, and you will prosper. When we, in faith, reach out to God, He in turn reaches to us. He upholds us and helps us to stand fast. And then, Jehoshaphat did something no other king had done.
Singing Praises in the Midst of the Battle
He appointed people to go ahead of the army and sing to the Lord and praise the beauty of holiness. King Jehoshaphat sent his praise team marching out first! Imagine being at the very front of this tiny army, approaching 3 enemies with massive armies. Then imagine you had no weapon but your voice which you used to praise God. Singing and praising, this is what they said, “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.” This is someone who believes and trusts in the promises of God.
Supernatural Deliverance and Overflowing Blessings
As Jamison-Faucett-Brown Bible Commentary notes, "the people went on, not as an army marching against an enemy, but returning in joyful triumph after a victory." The Lord had spoken and there was no doubt that He would give the victory. How they did not know. At this moment two of the armies fell on the third and destroyed it. Then the remaining armies attacked each other and every one of them was killed. This was without a doubt a supernatural event.
When the armies of Jehoshaphat surveyed the dead enemy they took all their valuables—jewels and plunder, more than they could carry away. There was so much that it took 3 days to gather them all. Then they blessed the Lord in the Valley of Berachah, which means blessing, and returned home with joy.
Today this Valley remains, known as the Waddy Bereikat, on the Hebron road. The singing was still not over. Still full of joy, they entered the temple in Jerusalem. They rejoiced and played musical instruments. Their enemies became afraid of them, but for Jehoshaphat and his people there was peace and quiet in the land.
Trusting God in the Quiet and Continuing to Praise
What miracles would come if we would only remember God's faithfulness and trust Him? What victories would we experience? What enemies would we overcome? God can remove all obstacles, He can act in ways we can't imagine to accomplish His will. Think about the battles you might be facing—whether loneliness, illness, or loss—and remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, as when he was then. Like Jehoshaphat, do we trust Him to fight for us?
But when peace comes and all is quiet, do we still sing praises? Do we still rejoice in the beauty of His holiness? Do we stand with our families and bless His holy name? Jehoshaphat and his people rejoiced in God's victory, yet they continued to praise Him even in the quiet. Are we doing the same?
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