Do you ever feel like you’re facing an impossible battle? Perhaps even now trouble presses in on you from all sides, and your situation seems dire. If you’re going through something like that, I’m sorry. I’d like to share a story I read this morning that I hope encourages you as it did me.
Trouble approaches.
In II Chronicles, chapter 20, messengers come before King Jehoshaphat of Judah with some really bad news. A vast army, made up of Moabites and Ammonites, is fast approaching, and the king’s forces are no match for them.
Jehoshaphat immediately orders all of Judah to begin fasting, and then gathers the people together at the temple in Jerusalem. The distressed king stands in the temple courtyard and cries out to God. His prayer is recorded in II Chronicles 20:6 -12, and you can feel the desperation in his words.
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
II Chronicles 20:12
God answers.
As the men, women, and children of Judah huddle together around the temple, no doubt trembling with fear, God answers Jehoshaphat’s prayer. The spirit of the Lord comes upon a Levite named Jahaziel, and he says this:
This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’
II Chronicles 20:15-17
King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah immediately fall to the ground and worship God. The next morning the king sends his army out as instructed, trusting that God will make good on His promise. At the head of this army, instead of elite soldiers, the king assigns a choir to sing praises to God as they march.
God delivers.
As Jehoshaphat and his men follow God’s instructions and march out to meet their foes, God miraculously causes their enemies to turn on each other! They fight a bloody battle amongst themselves until every last one of them is dead. Not one escapes. The unbeatable, invading army demolishes itself before Jehoshaphat even arrives.
When Jehoshaphat and his men reach the desert, their jaws drop as they behold the carnage. The place is littered with the corpses of their enemies. All around they see valuables just waiting to be scooped up. In fact, “There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it” (II Chronicles 20:25 b).
Jehoshaphat and his people return to Jerusalem victorious. They go to the temple to praise and worship God. The fear of God falls over the surrounding kingdoms, “And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (II Chronicles 20:30).
Be like Jehoshaphat.
What an awesome story! As Christians, when we face what seems like an impossible challenge, we have the opportunity to do what Jehoshaphat did. We can call out to that same God and say, “I have no power to face this situation. I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on you.” Remember: the battle belongs to God. Nothing is too difficult for Him. God delights in working wonders for those who love Him.
