What do we do when the challenges of life suddenly intensify and surround us, threatening to overcome and defeat us? Such was the case with Judah under King Jehoshaphat, a man seeking to live honorably for God with a clear conscience.
King Jehoshaphat suddenly found himself and all of Judah in a great deal of trouble. Several bordering nations had allied together to attack, and a great multitude of soldiers was approaching. The first thing the king did when he realized his predicament was to seek the Lord, then to have all the people of Judah do the same. Perhaps God would spare them and help them to turn back this overwhelming invasion, if they sought His face and His favor.
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NKJV)
It must have pleased the Lord greatly that Jehoshaphat chose to approach the matter in this way. Jehoshaphat’s faith under trial had likely been reinforced when God delivered him from death in the battle alongside King Ahab, and he was the right leader for Judah to have during this new crisis.
Speaking prophecy through a Levitical priest, the Lord responded, reminding the people whose battle this really was.
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel … a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:14-15 (NKJV)
The approaching battle was an unforeseen and unexpected event for Judah and its king. Trouble often shows up out of nowhere, even today, and like Judah, we can easily be thrown off-balance by the sudden appearance of adversity. In our shock and desperation, we often forget to take our trouble before the Lord, instead trying to solve them on our own, in our own strength and resources.
Many times, our own power is not nearly sufficient to overcome the challenges that come against us. In these moments, we learn to draw upon our faith, humbly approaching our loving and powerful God, seeking His strength to fight and win the battle. We call upon God to do for us that which we do not have sufficient strength or power to do for ourselves.
When we look back upon people like Jehoshaphat, they remind us have faith, and give us encouragement to move forward in our lives today. Whatever battles we are struggling against – addiction, financial stress, illness, fear, anxiety, depression, loss, grief, broken personal relationships, or anything else – we call upon the Lord to hold us up and guide us through. He is our ever-present hope and has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We can trust Him to never let us down.
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 (NKJV)
Reflection
What unexpected trials have come upon you in life? How did you respond to them? It is never too late to take them before the Lord in prayer, and if you have, He seems to love persistence.
“Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NKJV)
Father God, we lift our trial or trials up to You. You know well what they are. We humbly ask that You deliver us through them, bringing healing and wholeness to everyone who is involved. May You be glorified for your great power, love, and mercy towards us. We thank You for Your generous grace in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 