I am always encouraged when I read 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah are facing enemies on every side and anticipating a ferocious battle. I love to read the ways in which they approached a threat, a danger, and emerged as victors. Which one of us today is not facing the battle of our life and couldn't use some Biblical strategies for victory?
Jehoshaphat "feared" at first when considering what he was up against. The key being when we are struck with fear in our hearts, that we recognize it, and prayerfully eliminate it. As exemplified in verse 3 we see Jehoshaphat immediately turn from that fear and "set himself to seek the Lord". When we hear a bad report or experience a life battle that strikes fear in our hearts, we must turn our focus immediately from fear to faith.
Jehoshaphat then declared a fast. The people came "to seek the Lord" and Jehoshaphat began to reflect and praise God for the wonders He had performed for them. What better way for us to take our focus off of today's challenges then to begin praising God for all that He has done for us through the years. Changing that focus from pondering today's problems to celebrating yesterday's victories does wonders for our faith and our focus.
Verse 9 states: "If disaster comes upon us -- sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine -- we will stand before this temple and in Your presence, we will cry out to You in our affliction and You will hear and save."Jehoshaphat then honestly admits how powerless they will be in the battle without the Lord. "For we have NO POWER against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You".
Everyday I know how powerless I am against leukemia without the Lord -- a disease without a cure. But when I open His Word, I am reminded over and over that if I will keep my eyes and faith solidly focused on God, I am empowered and nothing is impossible for those who believe.
I am also sadly reminded of other suffering patients who do not have a relationship with their Heavenly Father and how very difficult this battle must be for them. Today, let us remember those who need to have the empowering of the Lord to help them with their own life battles.
The Spirit of the Lord settles on the people of Judah and the people's fear turns to faith. "Do not be discouraged or dismayed because of this great multitude, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GODS!" What a promise to each of us -- we have a Heavenly Father waiting to fight this battle for us. Trust and obey there's no other way.
One of the most powerful weapons is then brought forth in this battle -- they begin to PRAISE. And as they praised, the Lord "set ambushes....and they (people of Ammon and Moab) were defeated". Learning to praise through the tough times when ever fiber of our body wants to scream out in pain and complaint, is a mighty resource during the heat of our battles.
Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him. Let's fight today's battles with faith, fortitude, and a focus solidly on the Lord.
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