Author: Pastor Sharon
A look at 2 Chronicles 20:12-30
Are you facing a battle today? Take courage. God says: “I will fight for you!”
It’s an ancient story played out many times and spanning across multiple generations of God’s people. And today the message is especially current and relevant for such a time as this.
It’s a familiar story. A king and his nation threatened and outnumbered by formidable enemies.
In sheer desperation, the Israelite King Jehoshaphat cries out to God:
“…for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon You.” (v.12)
Ever feel like that? I find myself echoing Jehoshaphat’s words more often in a world that makes less sense.
Jehoshaphat’s in a tight spot here. Outnumbered. Out matched. Overwhelmed. But he will not be overcome because his God is for him! The king immediately runs to his first and only hope: his God.
And his God shows up in a big way as we hear in the words of the prophet:
15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! 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.
16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel.
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.”
The Battle. Jehoshaphat didn’t have to fight it. But he did have to face it. Tomorrow go down there and get in position. Not so you can fight, but so you can SEE. God Himself would own the battle.
How often do we attempt to fight battles that are not ours to fight? Waging unnecessary wars?
Fighting people who seem to oppose us, or who just get in our way? Fighting stubborn circumstances that we can’t seem to control or sway or way? Waging an endless battle to fix ourselves and to fix others?
Yet, in reality we are called to fight only one fight: the good fight of faith.
“Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you have made a good confession of faith before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)
Fight– “to contend; to compete for a prize.”
Our battle is NOT to try to do the things that only God can do. Nor to fix the problems and people that only God can fix. Our battle is to firmly position ourselves… stand still… and see what He will do for us and in us.
We’re fighting for the grand prize! Your fight, and my fight, is to grab hold of, and retain by faith, the endless glorious life to which we have been called. To lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of us.
The apostle Paul put it this way:
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)
Your fight is to seize your calling in Christ! With all of the glorious blessings and benefits your calling affords.
Questions: Do I weary myself fighting battles that are not mine to fight? When I should be planting myself… standing still… and seeing that the battle is God’s?
Often, during the heat of battle we find ourselves choosing a “fight” or “flight” mode. Either we attempt to fight our own battles, or we check out completely. Neither response is wise.
Fight. Sometimes we arm ourselves with too much “information”. We reason that if we just gather enough facts, and understand all those facts, then we can better handle the situation.
But bringing information and facts to a spiritual battle is a losing strategy. We end up arming ourselves with information rather than with the armor of God.
Instead, we must arm ourselves with “truth”. Truth and facts are two very different things.
All information has a source. The problem with facts is that they are only as good as their source. But all truth is sourced in God Himself.
Jesus identified Himself and said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6)
Flight. Jehoshaphat didn’t fight the battle, but he also didn’t run away. God called him to face his enemies.
Often we may choose to deny a problem exists at all. After all, who wants to face a battle? Fleeing to distraction seems far more appealing.
We may try to escape and avoid facing our battles by any means possible. Only to discover that we cannot outrun or escape our problems simply by denying away their existence.
Did you know that God’s children are never called to run away and flee the fight? Rather we are called to flee only one thing: sin (1 Corinthians 6:18; 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22).
Plus, we have God’s assurance that when we submit to Him and resist the devil… our adversary will in fact flee from us! (James 4:7).
Let’s continue Jehoshaphat’s story in progress. Remember, King Jehoshaphat didn’t have to fight the battle… but he did have to face it. Why? So that he could SEE firsthand what God was about to do
God spoke prophetically. He will indeed own the battle, but Israel will have to face the fight. They are called to show up.
How did God’s people show up to the fight? Armed solely with an armor of praise and song.
“And when King Jehoshaphat had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, who would praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out in front before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for His mercy endures forever.” (v.21)
This whole scene is laughable out loud measured by today’s standards of hi-tech warfare! But what happens next is totally undeniable!
“And when they began to sing (shouts of joy and triumph) and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy nations which came against Judah; and they were smitten. For the enemy nations all arose against each other, to utterly slay and destroy each other: every nation helped to destroy another.” (v.22-23)
God’s path to victory is utterly astounding… totally unfathomable… and completely undeniable! Yes, Israel indeed faced the battle; but God fought the battle. Sometimes you simply need to show up!
The Mitspeh. A military watch tower used to observe and wait.
Early the next morning Judah faces the fight from their watch tower in the wilderness. And what do they see?
“And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked (they faced) the multitude, and beheld dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.” (v.24)
God fought the battle. Israel faced the battle. Over before it began. End of war. Perhaps the shortest battle in history!
And because God fought and won the battle for King Jehoshaphat, there was nothing left to do but claim the blessings left behind and praise the Lord!
“And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoils of war, they found among the dead bodies both riches and precious jewels in abundance, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and it took them three days to gather the spoils of the battle, it was so much. And on the fourth day they gathered themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed and praised the Lord…” (v.25-26)
“Then every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned, with Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with lyres and harps and trumpets to the Lord’s house.” (v.27-28)
Music before the battle and music after the battle. They were a rowdy bunch for sure, but with good reason…
“And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.” (v.29)
The battle belongs to the Lord. The incredible war story concludes as we discover the reward for that king who faced the battle, but never fought it…
“So the realm of King Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest all around on every side.” (v.30)
Wow! Jehoshaphat and his people journey from fear and fasting… to praise and worship… to stillness and rest. His story comes full circle. And so does ours.
Jehoshaphat had a front row seat to witness God’s victory! And that’s where we want to be positioned too!
Today, God no longer fights. There is nothing left to fight. Why?
Because the battle has already been fought and our victory has already been won at the Cross. Jesus fought the fight we could not and He prevailed!
Prevailed over every sickness, disease, and virus both named and unnamed. Prevailed over every fear, anxiety, and worry. Because “the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Jesus was punished for our overall sense of well-being and wholeness.
Beloved, our good fight of faith today hinges upon our receptivity. Our willingness to simply rest and receive the full victory that Jesus already won our behalf. For our bodies… for our minds… and for all of our lives.
After all, He came so that you and I “might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly (superior in quality and superabundant in quantity)!” (John 10:10)
Yes, you and I will face some battles on this journey. Not so we can fight, but so we can SEE.
“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. ”(2 Chronicles 20:17)
Beloved, if you’re facing a battle today, take heart. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you…and for you…wherever you go! (Joshua 1:9)
Face the Fight… you’re already a Winner!
Author: Pastor Sharon