Thoughts: Hannah's Blog

Today I wanted to share from one of the battle chapters. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah was informed that his enemies have banded together and they are coming to attack. There are 3 things that stand out to me in this chapter (2 Chronicles 20): the way Jehoshaphat prays, the way they worship and the way that God responds.

JEHOSHAPHAT’S RESPONSE:

The first reaction out of Jehoshaphat is that of terror (verse 3). Then he begs God for guidance and he proclaims a fast, he goes to the temple to pray. His prayer is recorded from verses 6-12. These are some of the points that I observed from his prayer:

1. He knew who his God is (Verse 6)
2. He acknowledges that God was the One who provided this land to them as their inheritance (Verse 7)
3. He reminds God of His promise to hear prayers uttered in the temple and to deliver (Verse 8)
4. He brings God’s attention to the current problem at hand, talking about his enemies. (Verses 10,11)
5. He admits to God of their powerlessness to save themselves
6. He appeals to God for help.

For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.              2 Chronicles 20: 12.

Reading this verse made me think about a similar prayer by King Asa. No wonder Jehoshaphat learned from his father:

Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.

GOD’S WORD – PROMISE:

In verses 15-17, God sends his word through a Levite, while they were praying in the temple. He asks them not to be afraid or discouraged. He says that the battle is not yours but God’s. He tells them to MARCH the next day. He promises Protection (you don’t have to fight) He promises deliverance (stand still and WATCH the Lord’s victory) Finally he promises his Presence (for the Lord is with you).

WORSHIP:

On hearing God’s word king Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground, and so did the people. The Levites stood up, and then they praised the Lord with a very loud shout. Also right before starting their march:

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!”

The King discusses with the people and they made singers to lead the army. This reminds me of yet another battle wherein God made Judah go out first to lead the battle. (Judah means Praise) Here we see people worshipping God in various ways: bowing, standing up, with a loud shout, singing and praising. Whenever we are afraid or in some tough situation, it is difficult to utter praise. But here we see people starting their battle plan with praise.

At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. – 2Chronicles 20: 22.

GOD’S WORK – FULFILMENT:

As the people began to praise, God caused confusion among the enemy armies. As God’s people were climbing one side of the mountain, to reach the lookout point where God promised that they would get to watch God’s work: On the other side of the valley, the war had started. On one end of the mountain there was praise and worship, while on the other side, there was confusion and destruction on the enemy side.

By the time they reached the lookout point, all they could see were the dead enemies, not one had escaped. Just as God promised, they did not have to fight at all, they just had to March and Watch. God fulfilled what he said he would do.

He also provided them with plunder, the people plundered for 3 days and finally they reached the temple joyfully with celebration and praise.

Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies.  They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord. – 2 Chronicles 20: 27,28.

The moment they heard of the battle, they started pleading at the temple, they got God’s word, worshipped him throughout the battle. Watched God’s promises turn true in their life and continued to offer praise and worship and finished their journey at the temple, at His presence with thanksgiving.

May this battle-incident inspire us to seek God’s presence and offer him praise at every step of the way that He leads and guides us. May we get to see the work of our Promise-fulfilling-faithful-God. And may we continue to offer praise and thanksgiving, once God grants us the victory!