Corona Devo 1024

If I were to ever have another baby boy (which I won't), I might name him Jehoshaphat--what a great guy (in the Bible) he was. 

But one day, Jehoshaphat got some news that the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on (him).  (2) Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army...is marching against you...  ~2 Chronicles 20:1-2

What would we do if we heard that a vast army was approaching?  Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance.  ~2 Chronicles 20:3

So...what did he do?  Where did he turn?  What was his gut-reaction? ...God.

He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. (4) So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.  

(5) Jehoshaphat stood before the community... (6) He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!   ~2 Chronicles 20:3-6

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Jehoshaphat was scared (terrified!), but he clung to God, and he gathered others around him to pray and to seek the Lord’s help with him.  He knew the majesty and authority of God and Jehosophat acknowledged God's power over everything (no one can stand against you!) 

But beyond knowing the Lord, Jehoshaphat led with the knowledge, strength and wisdom of God's Word.  He launches into a specific prayer that was based on the Scriptural precedent that King Solomon had set when praying the dedication of the exact Temple that Jehoshaphat now stood in front of: They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ 

(12) O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”   (2 Chronicles 20:9, 12).

Jehoshaphat knew the Scriptures and he prayed them in earnest for himself and his people.

Do we?  

What might happen if we did?

There is power in knowing God and knowing His Word. 

~~~

(13) As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, (14) the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there... 

(15) He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 

(16) Tomorrow, march out against them... (17) But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”   ~2 Chronicles 20:13-17

Wow, wow, wow--While they were in prayer, God sent His Word to the people and spoke of their coming victory.  A ridiculous victory, in which the people had to do nothing, because God was going to do everything.

Can I get an "Amen!"?  Anyone ever had God show up big and do a little "impossible"...where we thought it wasn't possible?

It humbles you.  It marvels you.  It makes you want to worship the One who fights for you.

Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. (19) Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.  ~2 Chronicles 20:18-19

Well, wouldn't we do the same?  

Give God a shout today!  He's fighting our battles in ways that we don't even know.  

And early the next morning, Jehoshaphat and his people watched it all play out exactly as God said it would...but not before Jehoshaphat pulled one more rock-star-for-God moment:

(20) ...On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”  

(21) After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:  “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”  ~2 Chronicles 20:20-21

Don't we love and admire Jehoshaphat?  (This is why I would name a son after him!)  On the way into battle, he stops his army to rally their belief in the Lord, and to confirm their victory if they believe.

And because...because they believed, because Jehoshaphat knew the Scriptures, because they worshiped, prayed and took God at His word......because they had faith in the Lord...it all came true.

At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves, and Not a single one of the enemy had escaped  (2 Chronicles 20:22, 24).

All that (25) King Jehoshaphat and his men had to do was go out to gather the plunder (2 Chronicles 20:25).

Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies.  ~2 Chronicles 20:27

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Come on!  Tell me that isn't a great (and historical!) account of faith.  It sort of makes you want a "Jehoshaphat" in your family, doesn't it?

Well, we might not have his name, but we can have the faith, Scriptural knowledge, trust, leadership and integrity of Jehoshaphat.

~~~

Worship and have faith in God before we see the victory...and in doing so, we usher in His victory.  

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com