Year One, November 26

The Battle Is Not Yours but God’s1

2 Chronicles 20:1-15; 17-19

1After this (the reforms of Jehoshaphat including the appointment of “certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases”2), the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.

This was discipline against Jehoshaphat for joining with wicked Ahab. Now the wicked join against him. But it was sent in love and therefore it ended well.

2aSome men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you.” 3Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. (He not only feared these invaders because of their huge numbers, but because the Lord sent him the prophet to declare that God’s anger would be shown. However, his fears drove him to prayer.  When this is the case, things are certain to get better.) 4And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. (Great troubles can only be met by great prayer. Let us use this certain cure when we meet with trials.)

5And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 7Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— 11behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

This was a noble prayer. The king reminded the Lord of his mighty power and supremacy; and, of his favors to his people in times past. Then he reminded him of his promise and covenant with his people. This is the way we should pray too. The last sentence is especially sweet: “Our eyes are on you.” They looked to the Lord alone for direction, help, protection and encouragement. We are sure to see good when our eyes are fixed on God alone.

13Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. (The prayers of even little ones are powerful with God. All our family should learn to pray. And in times of distress each one should assist in calling on the Lord for help.) 14And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel,…a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.

When all his people humbly cry to him, God will soon send a loving word.

15And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’”

17“‘You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” (When the Lord takes up the battle for his people he makes short work of their enemies.)

18Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

God’s great mercy humbled them to the point of adoration. They did not question the truth of the promise, but immediately worshiped him gratefully.

19And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

This was real faith. Can we not also praise the Lord for favors yet to come? He will bless us, so we should bless him right now.

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¹ 2 Chronicles 20:15

² 2 Chronicles 19:8