“‘O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.’ All Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives and their children.” (II Chronicles 20:12-13 NASB)
Have you ever faced an insurmountable obstacle? Or been confronted with immense opposition? Have you ever gotten to the place where confusion set in and doubt and fear nibbled at your courage, while your resolve and determination drifted away like smoke? Has life ever been so overwhelming you didn’t know what to do?
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was in that very place. Three neighboring countries had formed a coalition and united their armies into a great multitude. They were coming to annihilate all of Judah.
Jehoshaphat knew his only recourse lay with God. First, before his people could disintegrate into panic and fear, he gathered them together. Then, instead of spending what little time he had to muster his army, he called for a time of fasting and prayer. He needed God’s battle strategy.
So they fasted and prayed. Everyone fasted and prayed. From the king to the lowliest servant. From the oldest to the youngest. Even the babies came to seek the face of God.
Jehoshaphat poured out his heart in prayer, reminding God of His promises and pleading for His help. He admitted to being powerless and clueless. He didn’t know what to do. With every eye on God and every ear straining to hear, every man, woman, and child waited. Time stood still. The silence was punctuated only by the shuffling of feet and the crying of a child.
Then out of the stillness, a voice rang with hope, encouragement, and direction. God had answered! “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.” (II Chronicles 20:17 NASB) The people responded with worship and thanksgiving.
The next day, as the Judean army marched toward the battlefield, a song of praise was their battle cry. Meanwhile, the enemy’s coalition had exploded into chaos and death as the three armies killed one another. The battle was over before Judah even got there. All they had to do was haul away the treasures of the enemy.
When we, out of our helplessness and defeat, seek the face of God, He will answer. He will give us direction for when and where to take a stand. He will position us to face our adversary and give us a clear view of our deliverance. He will tell us like He told His people so long ago, “Do not fear, the battle belongs to Me.”
Brothers and sisters, as we encounter obstacles and opposition in life, remember God is listening and God is directing. When we respond with obedience and praise, the destruction we expected will be turned into blessing instead.
~ Peggy Lundy
YES!
So relevant!