God is for you
When you face a battle and the odds are not in your favor. What do you do?
2 Chronicles 20:1-29
Jehoshaphat was in a battle and the odds were not in his favor. Let’s see how he responds.
[2 Chronicles 20:1-5]
“After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.”(This was another name for En-gedi.) 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. Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord.“
2 Chronicles 20:1-5 NLT
Let’s recap the surrounding nations declared war on Jehoshaphat and he was terrified. And the first thing he did was get guidance from the Lord.
So when you find yourself surrounded by a multitude. What do you do? You seek the Lord and ask for His help with all your might.
And He will ALWAYS answer!!
[2 Chronicles 20:6-12 NLT]
”He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”“
2 Chronicles 20:6-12 NLT
Notice in Jehoshaphat prayer he was declaring who God was, and acknowledging that God is the one who is really in control. He was reminding God of all the times he has helped them, while doing so He was remembering all that God has done for them.
”As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; 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!” Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.“
2 Chronicles 20:13-19 NLT
God answered Jehoshaphat, He told him,
[Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.] [ 2 Chronicles 20:15] not only did God tell Jehoshaphat that this is His battle, but He also told Jehoshaphat [you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory.]
[2 Chronicles 20:17]
God didn’t just answer Jehoshaphat, He showed up and said I am going to fight this battle for you.
(20)”Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”(21)After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”(22) 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.(23)The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.(24)When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.(25) So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.(26) On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.(27) Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. (28)They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets. (29) The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.“
2 Chronicles 20:20-30 NIV
God told Jehoshaphat that [He the Lord] was going to to fight this battle. Jehoshaphat encouraged the people and assigned men to sing praises to God. Read [2 Chronicles 20:20-21]
Notice how Jehoshaphat encouraged the people in the Lord. So the battle you are facing right now, encourage yourself in the Lord. Declare Gods faithfulness and goodness over your life, sing of Gods victory.
Now Can you imagine how many people were coming against them and how that must have been terrifying. Yes the Lord was going to fight for them, but they still had to walk to the battle field.
They had to take courage in the Lord and trust that God was going to do what He said He would do.
As they went out to the battle field, they sang praises to God. And something amazing happened as they sang praises to God, the Lord defended them, He defeated the enemy.
[2 Chronicles 20:22] 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.
Not only did God defeat there enemies, he also provided for them. He shared His victory with them.
[2 Chronicles 20:25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.]
God will fight for you! He is your defender and provider. Call out and He will answer.
We have a good God one who is compassionate and loving. And desires to know you and have a relationship with you.
He loves us so much more than we could ever imagine or understand. He wants to fight for you, He wants to be with you.
God sent His son to die on the cross for our sin, He made a way for us to enter heaven and be with Him forever. That’s how much He loves us, even though we all mess up and fall short of His glory.
Yet He loves us still. And He wants to protect you, defend for you, and provide for you. He loves you.
So whatever battle you are facing right now
Remember God is in your favor, He loves you and He wants to fight this battle with you and for you.
All you have to do Is call on His name and He will answer.
Let God fight for you
Rest in His Arms and watch what He does for you.