Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, Psalm 58
Everything was going well for King Jehoshaphat and the people of Israel until the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on them. When Jehoshaphat found out that a large army was marching towards them, he was terrified. He knew that they needed God’s protection in order to survive this battle, and he knew he needed God’s guidance in order to lead his people through this difficult time. He called on the people to fast and seek the Lord’s help, and that is what they did. As the people gathered in front of the Temple, Jehoshaphat led out in prayer.
CALLING ON GOD FOR HELP
“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.’” – 2 Chronicles 20:6-9
God had rescued His people over and over again. He was powerful enough to do it before and the people had confidence He could do it again. They knew they could stand in God’s presence, cry out to Him, and be heard. They knew their God would rescue them. What a beautiful example of faith in action. God’s people knew they were powerless against the strength of the army pursuing them. They did not know how to win the battle on their own, but they did know who to look to for help. They gathered together and prayed. The Spirit of the Lord came upon a man named Jahaziel, giving him a message for the people:
“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!” — 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
DO NOT BE AFRAID. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S.
The king’s response to God’s promise was to bow low to the ground and worship God. The people followed his example and did the same. Then the Levites stood and began praising the Lord with loud shouts. The next morning, King Jehoshaphat encouraged God’s people to once again believe in God — to stand firm in their faith. He appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, praising God as they walked toward the valley.
“Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” – 2 Chronicles 20:21b
At the exact moment the people began to sing and praise the Lord, God caused their enemy to start fighting each other. When the army of Judah arrived on the battlefield, they found that the battle was already over. There were dead bodies as far as they could see. Not one of their enemies had escaped!
They gathered together the plunder strewn across the battlefield and named that place the Valley of Blessing. God had given them victory over their enemies and they were overflowing with joy. They marched into Jerusalem and headed to the Temple of the Lord. And God gave the people of Judah a season of peace — “rest on every side” (20:30).
YOU WILL NOT EVEN NEED TO FIGHT. TAKE YOUR POSITIONS, THEN STAND STILL AND WATCH THE LORD’S VICTORY.
In 2022, pregnancy centers across America responded to threats from those upset by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a federal ruling legalizing abortion in 1973. These domestic terrorist groups declared war against every organization that stands for life. They threatened, “If abortion isn’t safe for women, then neither are you.” They vandalized pregnancy centers across the nation, many of which were set on fire. While most of America celebrated this decision, the anger and threats of radical groups intensified.
Pregnancy help organizations across this nation continue to call upon their faith communities to join them in praying for God’s hand of protection against those who desire to shut them down. God’s people are faithful to pray and the Lord has been faithful to respond. We have taken our pro-life positions, stood firm in our calling to help those facing pregnancy decisions, and watched the Lord’s victory over our enemies. And now we are praising God and asking Him for “rest on every side” — our faith is stronger and the need for our services is bigger than ever! We serve a big God and this battle is not ours, it is His!
The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged…
Then at last everyone will say,
“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.” – Psalm 58:10-11