The Power to Win the War
2 Chronicles 20:15 (NLT) 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.
I love this story about King Jehoshaphat. He gets word that this vast army... one that way outnumbers his own, has declared war against him and they are heading in his direction. Sure, he's human and his first response was fear, but it's what he did in the next few moments that defined his destiny and paved the way for an incredible lesson for all of us to learn. He had a choice to make, as we all do when our backs are against the wall, we get a bad report and fear, and anxiety are terrorizing us. His first course of action was to call a fast and he gathered all the people to pray and seek the Lord for direction. This act alone took the pressure off Him as he handed his problem over to God.
As they gathered, the next thing the King did was to give praise and honor to the one he trusted to be his deliverer. As they sought the Lord, He gave them the directions they needed to win the war. In the face of their greatest opposition, they worshiped!
Their entire battle plan consisted of worship, obedience, remaining fearless, standing firm and having faith in God's promise! That's it! As they did their part and remained focused on God, despite the incredible odds against them, GOD defeated their enemy!
If they would have given into fear and focused on the problem, they would certainly have been defeated. As they worshiped, their spirits were lifted and faith strengthened. A group of normal men were transformed into a powerful and unstoppable army as they placed their trust in God! They did not depend on their numbers, strength, or ability, but completely on His promise to defeat the enemy on their behalf.
Take note that at the very moment they began to worship in the battle, things began to shift in their direction! There's such power in our worship!
Yes, we have battles to fight in the spirit and we've been given authority over our enemy in Jesus' name, but ultimately the battles are won by faith in a God who loves His children and takes great pleasure in delivering them from every snare the enemy sets against them.
Whatever you're facing today, the battle can be won as you focus on Jesus, fast, pray, stand firm, obey, trust His Word, and give Him uninhibited praise! Resist the temptations of fear and discouragement and don't allow them to consume you. Stay focused on Jesus and His promises and He will fight for you!! You have nothing to worry about if your eyes remain focused on Him and not the enemy who is trying to intimidate you with fear, worry and doubt! You cannot lose when your trust is in Him!
2 Chronicles 20:17-24 (NLT) 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!” 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. Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. 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.” 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!” 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. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
