Read 1 Chronicles 20:1-37
How can you read a passage like this and not be changed? What I mean by that is how life-changing it is to see God at work. Reading accounts of God’s mighty intervention in the lives of his people is both encouraging and uplifting.
It’s easy for us to get caught up in our routines and start taking our blessings for granted. At some point, we are likely to hit a wall or be tempted or be ridiculed for our faithful living. How quickly our perfect existence can be marred by the unexpected attack.
Jehoshaphat was facing one of those fearful moments. He didn’t know what to do. He felt powerless yet he didn’t want to let his people down. He was the king after all! In his moment of weakness he called on the LORD. His prayer was heartfelt and had the elements of praise mixed in with his anguish. Jehoshaphat wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable with God, and he courageously displayed his solution for all to see.
Jehoshaphat prayed. Jehoshaphat didn’t try to figure out a solution on his own, he went to God and asked for help. “We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us,” Jehoshaphat pleaded with the LORD with great confidence he would be heard. “We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” And God heard and responded.
The people rejoiced and showed reverence to the LORD for his promise to them. Jehoshaphat even reminded the people where their success came from. “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
What do you think the people thought when they saw how God had fought their battle for them? Seeing the corpses laying on the ground must have been shocking but comforting all at the same time. The mighty foe that had reeked so much fear on the king had been defeated. God had won the victory that day.
Did you think it strange that the people were worshipping in this moment? It reminds me of the apostle Paul and how he and Silas had sung hymns of praise while incarcerated and afraid for their life after a severe flogging. God responded in a mighty way that day and fought Paul’s battles when the jail cell doors were miraculously opened. That, too, was quite a statement of victory. (See Acts 16:16-40)
God fights our battles, too. There are ones we know about and plenty that are fought behind the scenes while we are left unaware. How does it make you feel to have a victorious king fighting your battles for you? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by some situation, don’t forget to give it to God and ask him for help. Don’t be surprised when help arrives!
Let’s pray. In the manner Jehoshaphat 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!” Thank you for all the battles you fight for me daily. Forgive me for those times that I fail to seek your counsel or wait for you to respond. There is so much comfort in knowing that you are there with me. I don’t have to figure it out on my own. Help me get out of my own way and worship you in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
