In 2 Chronicles 20 we find the account of King Jehoshaphat when Judah was faced with an invasion from the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites.
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).
2 Chronicles 20:2 NIV
These were people from the territories of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. When Joshua led the invasion of the Promised Land, under the Lord’s direction, he was instructed to leave these people’s territory alone and not to remove them. Joshua obeyed. Now, approximately 550 years later, they were coming to wage war with King Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat’s response to this news was to “inquire of the Lord” and to proclaim a fast for all of Judah.
The people gathered at the Temple of the Lord to seek Him. Jehoshaphat stood up before the people and prayed, you can read his full prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12, but what stands out to me the most is the last verse:
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.”
2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV
“we have no power” – Jehoshaphat knew that Judah could not muster an army with sufficient numbers to face this invasion with any earthly hope of winning.
“We do not know what to do” – Jehoshaphat had no earthly resolution to what Judah faced.
“our eyes are on you” – Jehoshaphat knew what Judah’s only hope of salvation was.
The Lord answered Jehoshaphat’s prayer through Jahaziel:
(14) Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
(15) He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! 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 20:14-17 NIV
Judah responded with praise and worship.
The next day Judah set out as the Lord had instructed them, but the army was led out in front by musicians who praised the Lord as they marched, singing “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”
(22) 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.
(23) The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.2 Chronicles 20:22-23 NIV
When Judah arrived, all they found were dead bodies. There was so much plunder that it took 3 days to carry it all away. On day 4, they gathered in the Valley of Berakah (which means “Praise”) and praised the Lord.
What can we learn from this account? Often we are faced with trials that seem impossible for us to deal with. Either we are going up against a force that we simply cannot see any way that we can beat, or perhaps so many things need to fall into place that it just seems impossible for us to have victory. It’s in these moments that we can truly see the power of God and His love for His children. He wants us to realize that there are situations that are beyond our fleshly control, but that He is there when we can admit that and know that He is all we can turn to for victory. It’s in moments like this that we can learn to do exactly what Jehoshaphat did:
“I’m powerless…”
“I don’t know what to do…”
“You are the only one who can fix this…”
“I’m waiting on you.”
In these moments, when we see the power of God, we learn two powerful things:
- God is in control.
- God always desires for us to turn to Him first, in all our trials and needs.
Jesus’ promises in the sermon on the mount are real and binding (Matthew 6:25-34).
For my own personal testimony it has been in these kinds of moments, when I knew I was powerless and was willing to throw my entire hope on the Lord and just look to Him, when I have seen the Lord move so powerfully on my behalf. Not just once in my life, not just twice, but more times than I can remember. Be prepared to fully admit that you don’t know what to do, give it to Him completely and wait on Him expectantly.
