Photo by Dylan Ferreira on Unsplash

By Tom Shanklin

After that, the Moabites and the Ammonites, together with some Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. And some came and declared this to Jehoshaphat, “A large multitude is coming against you from across the Dead Sea from Edom; and observe, they are in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).” (2Chronicles 20:1-2, MEV)

King Jehoshaphat awoke one day to some bad news. Not just one army, but three were coming against him, and he had no way to overcome them. It reminds me of the current situation in our world. We are waking up every day to bad news about the coronavirus, about the economy, about strife in our nation, and about hurting and hungry people around the world. Even as I am about to post this article, there are violent protests, looting, and burning in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the largest cities in our state.

It can be overwhelming! We don’t know where to turn, what to believe, what to think, who to trust, or what to do. We are in a trial of the greatest magnitude that most of us have ever experienced. And for many, there are particular issues on top to these things—concerning loved ones, concerning finances, concerning injustices, concerning health. A multitude is coming against us, and we have no strength. And yet there is an answer!

Here’s what Jehoshaphat did in the time of trouble … and what you and I can do as well:

1. SET YOURSELF TO SEEK THE LORD

“Then Jehoshaphat was fearful and set himself to seek the LORD, and he called for a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah was assembled to seek the LORD; even from all the cities of Judah, they came to obtain aid from the LORD.” (2Chronicles 20:3-4, MEV)

Johoshaphat was fearful. It’s the natural reaction. He could have easily given into that fear, turned tail, and ran for the hills. But he had a different reaction. He “set himself to seek the Lord.” In times of trouble, we need to remember that our help comes from the Lord. We need to remember the promises of the Bible and all the times that the Lord has delivered us in times past … and set ourselves to seek the Lord. 

Seeking the Lord means pulling away from the natural side of things and going after the invisible God. It means consecrating yourself, praying, and drawing close to Him. Jehosaphat proclaimed a fast and called the people together to pray! A fast, whether it’s long or short, helps us to focus on the spiritual side of things, so we can receive an answer from God. It’s not a way to twist God’s arm, but it’s a way to get ourselves into position to receive from Him through earnestness of heart.

2. MAKE YOUR CASE

I want you to notice some things about Jehoshaphat’s prayer:

• He acknowledged God’s power. “And Jehoshaphat stood in the midst of the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD before the new courtyard, and he said: “O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In Your hand are strength and might, and there is no one who can oppose You.” (2Chronicles 20:5-6, MEV)
• He invoked Israel’s covenant. “Did You not, our God, drive out those who lived in this land before Your people Israel, and You gave it perpetually to the descendants of Abraham, who was in covenant love with You.” (2Chronicles 20:7, MEV) As believers, we, too, have a covenant with God through Jesus Christ.
• He reminded God of His promise. “And they have dwelled in it and have built in it for You a sanctuary for Your name saying, ”˜If disaster comes upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, then we will stand before this temple and before You because Your name is in this temple. And we will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver.’” (2Chronicles 20:8-9, MEV) Here he is reminding the Lord of the promise He had made during the dedication of Soloman’s temple: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14, MEV)
• He spoke to the Lord about the problem. “Now here are the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, when they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out of Your possession, which You have given us to inherit.” (2Chronicles 20:10-11, MEV)
• He looked the Lord for help. “O our God, will You not render judgment on them? For we have not strength enough to stand before this great army that is coming against us. And we do not know what we should do, but our eyes are on You.” (2Chronicles 20:12, MEV)

Jehoshaphat knew that His only hope was help from the Lord, but he needed to lay a foundation for His petition. Many people today are crying out to the Lord for help, but they have no foundation to stand on. It’s only through the Word of God that we can have faith to receive.

Jehoshaphat’s prayer was not just flowery religious talk, it was strategic prayer designed to bring the desired result. The foundation of the Word of God and the covenant that God made with Abraham was crucial to the effectiveness of His prayer. We, too, have a covenant that we can stand firmly upon through the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary. It’s time to take our eyes off of our problems and our weakness and place them upon the Maker of heaven and earth.

3. RECEIVE A WORD FROM GOD

Then the prophet spoke: “Pay attention all Judah, and those dwelling in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ”˜Do not fear, nor be dismayed because of this great army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, go down against them. They will travel up by the Ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the back of the valley, before the Wilderness of Jeruel. It will not be necessary for you to fight in this conflict. Take your positions, stand, and observe the deliverance of the LORD for you, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be filled with terror. Tomorrow, go out before them, and the LORD will be with you.” Then Jehoshaphat bowed his face to the ground, and all Judah and those dwelling in Jerusalem fell before the LORD to worship Him.” (2Chronicles 20:14-18, MEV)

As a result of Israel’s prayer, the Word of the Lord came through the prophet. In times of overwhelming trouble, we need to hear a word from God. It may be a scripture that comes alive, a still small voice, or a word spoken by a prophet. But the key is, you must hear from God, take it into your heart, and embrace it as yours. 

The prophecy was not only a much-needed word of encouragement, but it also contained specific direction for Israel. Likewise, the Lord has specific direction for you. Be sensitive to hear His voice, and wait for the witness of the Spirit in your heart that you are hearing from God. There comes a time when you need to take your stand on the Word of God. You need to believe that no devil is going to rob you of your inheritance in Christ. 

4. PRAISE THE LORD

“And the Levites from the descendants of the Kohathites and Korahites rose up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a very loud voice. So they rose up early in the morning and went out to the Wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and those dwelling in Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be supported. Believe His prophets, and you will succeed.” And he consulted with the people and then appointed singers for the LORD and those praising Him in holy attire as they went before those equipped for battle saying, “Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever.” (2Chronicles 20:19-21, MEV)

It may not make sense to praise the Lord in times of trouble, but that’s exactly what you need to do. Praise is an act of faith which releases the power of God. Jehoshaphat encouraged the people to believe the Word of the Lord. They began to praise and worship the Lord. In the midst of your trial, you need to come to a place of praise. Praise Him because you know you have your petition, even though you cannot see it with your physical eyes. 

When they went out to battle, they didn’t send out the soldiers first, they sent the praise and worship team. They went out singing, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.” As a result, God ambushed the enemy and they went into confusion and destroyed themselves. Israel did not need to fight. Maybe you are used to fighting your own battles in life. But now it’s time for you to put your trust in the Lord and pray. 

Dear Father, We humble ourselves and pray and seek your face and we turn from our wicked ways. You created the heaven and the earth and nothing is too difficult for you. You sent your Son to die for us that our sins might be forgiven, and He rose from the dead to give us the victory. You made a covenant with us to forgive our sins, change our hearts, and to be our God if we believe in Jesus your Son. You said you would be with us in trouble and deliver us. We declare that Jesus is our Lord. Thank you, Father, for hearing from heaven, delivering us from these troubles, and healing our land. We give you praise and thanks for hearing our prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.