It seems to be an unusually offensive season for all citizens of planet earth isn't it? Bad news is in abundance. Have you received your bits of it in the last few months? How did you feel about it? Was it so bad that when you heard it your stomach turned? Did you go into, "Lions n' Tigers n' Bears - Oh My!" mode?
I had such a week this week actually - it was one thing and another and another and I began to add them up.
This was the situation for King Jehoshaphat. He had just been informed that his country was going to be attacked by an army much larger than his. The previous news he had received had been bad news as well.
But Jehoshaphat was not the man to turn physically ill at the perils of his situation. He had been imbued with a bigger vision of worldly events. He was capable of seeing beyond the trial to the solution. Instead of panicking, the wise King turned His face to God and with his people called them to a time of a prayer & fasting.
The people listened - every man and woman in the province of Judah.
The king made a public prayer where, in reminding God of His promise Jehoshaphat reminded the people of their destiny. (SIDE NOTE: Having a destiny makes the heartbreaks of life bearable. You have one - ask God to reveal it to you!)
Expectantly, he then asked God for a plan. "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 upon you." At the end of his prayer it says they waited on God's answer. It came through the prophet, Jahaziel son of Zechariah. He said, "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'" - 2 Chronicles 20:15-16
The result was God honored their faithfulness and commitment to His promises and wiped out their enemies that day. Without Judah raising a hand their enemies massacred one another and what was heard on the battlefield was praise to God. "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" - 2 Chronicles 20:22-23
Let's recap - Here is what Jehoshaphat did in response to bad news.
1. He called for prayer
2. He called for fasting
3. He asked for God's strategy
4. And he began his battle by praising God in the midst of the battle
This is a time of great trouble in our land. Christians need to be focused on their relationship to God. It is good to get back into the Word of God, the Bible. It is wonderful to fellowship with other believers for comfort, support and strength but ultimately we all must go to the source of our destiny!!! Pray! Fast! Expect to hear back! and Praise Him even if today is not as fun, secure, interesting, wonderful as yesterday! Look up and out and believe to live out your Kingdom life!
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
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Wonderful and timely message honey! It is so true--we are powerless without God, so therefore we need to seek Him in His Word and know that the battle truly is His!
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