A friend of mine recently reminded me of the story of Jehoshaphat (yes I had to check several times to get that one spelled correctly) in 2 Chronicles 20.
I feel like the story could be an encouragement to a lot of us right now. I don’t know the whys, and that doesn’t really matter, but it seems that for a lot of people life has been more intense in this last season. I know we don’t talk a lot about spiritual warfare and I get that. We don’t want to draw too much attention to the enemy. Yes, I agree. I also don’t think that ignoring the fact that there is a battle at hand is the right answer either.
So for those of you who don’t remember the story off hand, I’ll give you the cliff note version.
Jehoshaphat is king. He gets news that the Moabites and Ammonites are headed his way. His first reaction tells a lot about his character. He calls a fast and people gather from all over Judah to pray.
I think this is a good place to stop for some practical application. I know that when things come my way the “Christian” thing to do is to pray. I’ll be honest though. It’s not always the first place I turn. Unfortunately, my iPhone can often intervene in the first step. There’s google, text messages, Facebook, you name it, that can easily keep me from taking my concerns to the Lord. Maybe it’s because he didn’t have an iPhone, but I doubt it. He knew where to turn and where the true answers come from. Dually noted.
Then a prophet gets this word, “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. 16 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. 17 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.’” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)
Their next step was to go out to meet the armies that where headed their way. When they got to the overlook, they started worshipping. (Again, this may or may not be my first reaction when I see an army with weapons approaching me.)
And here is the crazy part for boys of all ages. “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” (2 Chronicles 20:22)
What does it look like when God sends an ambush?!
Well, when they looked out at the armies, all they saw was dead bodies, it said NO ONE had escaped.
So they went out to carry off the plunder. Get this, there was more stuff (equipment, clothing, and articles of value) that they could carry! They gathered the plunder for 3 days, and there was still more than they could take!
This is a kingdom paradigm. They went to battle, and came out of the battle with MORE than they took. They didn’t lose one life. They didn’t lose one possession. They walked out of the battle with more than they could even carry.
I feel like this is for you today friend. You may be in a battle. The Lord wants you to know that the battle belongs to Him. He also wants you to know that if you keep your focus and attention on Him, you can actually walk away from this battle with more than what you carried in. He always redeems. He always restores. He is mighty to save. He is working all things together for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.
I speak over you today that you will walk away from this battle unscathed. I declare that you will soon be rejoicing in the Lords victory and walking away with your plunder.
To recap:
1. Seek God first for strategy
2. The battle belongs to the Lord
3. Worship (When the light comes, darkness automatically looses it’s power)
4. Anticipate the loot (God is committed to working this out for your good)
Happy Monday!
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