Thursday, April 18th, 2024
The other day I was reading in 2 Chronicles 20 and there were so many verses that quickened my spirit. I want to look at a few of them today. In this chapter, we are reading about Jehoshaphat, who was one of the righteous kings of Judah. A few of the neighboring lands were looking to battle Jehoshaphat and his response gives us a glimpse of the pure heart he had for God.
2 Chronicles 20:3:
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
I am just beginning to see how important fasting is as a lifestyle but also as a course of action when we really want to hear from the Lord. Can you imagine if the political leaders of our nation declared a fast so that we could better hear from the Lord? Father, let it be so!
Then in verse 12 we see:
…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.”
“But our eyes are upon You.” That is the kind of phrase we could add to the end of just about every sentence of our life. Lord, I don’t know how you are going to heal me, but my eyes are upon You. Lord, I don’t know how you are going to save my child, but my eyes are upon You. Lord, I don’t know how I am going to pay that bill, but my eyes are upon You. If we are experiencing anything other than the fruits of the spirit, it’s a good opportunity to say, “Lord, forgive me for taking my eyes off of You. Fix my gaze on You so that I can come back to a place of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 says:
15 …Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s...
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
Some of us (or maybe just me), need a recording of that to play every time we enter our own battles. Yes, there is often a part we have to play in our battles, but more often than not, our part is to simply surrender and trust so that God can do His part. If we find ourselves getting frustrated, weary or discouraged, it could be that we are trying too hard in our own strength and getting in the way of what God wants to do.
2 Chronicles 20:22, 27 says:
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies.
Worship really is a weapon. They didn’t need to wield a sword or jump to the front of the battle lines. They just had to sing and praise, and this made a way for God to move. Finally, in verse 27 it says they rejoiced over their enemies. What an incredible picture of how God will lead us and fight for us when we serve Him with righteousness and joy.
Final Thoughts…
All of 2 Chronicles 20 is incredible. If you find yourself in a challenging situation, pull out your Bible and study this chapter. What an incredible resource on how to seek God, trust Him and then rejoice in the wonderful things He does. This isn’t just an historical recounting of a story. This is the living and active Word of God. It’s just as powerful today as it was then. Declare it over your life, believe in the God that gave these words to us and watch what He will do.