Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 2 Chronicles 20:2 NIV
Jehoshaphat had to deal with two pieces of bad news: The enemy is bringing a huge attack against you, and it already has a foothold in your land! Can you relate to the fear that, no doubt, gripped the heart of Jehoshaphat? As Christians, we know that Satan, the enemy of our souls, is intent on destroying us. The last thing I want to hear is that he has planned a big attack against me, and has already gotten a foothold in my life! So what can we do when this happens?
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 NIV
There’s only one way to defend against an attack of the enemy: Seek help from the Lord! Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and rightfully so, for he understood the danger of the situation. He “resolved” to inquire of the Lord. In other words, he thought it through, considered his options, and determined the best course of action was to seek help from God. He did not negotiate with the enemy, nor did he strategize a battle plan. Fasting and prayer was his battle plan! He knew, too, that he did not battle alone. He called upon all the people with him to fast and pray together. Spiritual warfare is seldom won alone. We are wise, when under attack, to call upon the people God has provided to support us, and ask them to fast and pray on our behalf. For if Satan attacks one, he attacks us all. We battle together!
Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:5-12
We can see in this prayer, 5 things Jehoshaphat did to survive the attack of the enemy:
- He focused on God’s power, realizing that the enemy was no match for His God!
- He called to mind times past when God had driven the out the enemy.
- He petitioned God to protect what He had already given them.
- He recognized his need for God’s help.
- He kept his eyes on God alone.
Check out God’s answer to his prayer:
“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s….You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15b, 17a NIV
When we cry out to God for help we do not need to fear the attack of the enemy because God steps in and fights the battle for us. Think about that for a minute. God personalizes the attack against you and sees it as an attack against Himself. He makes your battle, His battle! All you need to do is cry out to Him, then stand firm! Don’t let the enemy move you! Walk in righteousness, don’t deviate from the path, and you will have the pleasure of watching God take down your enemy!
To read the rest of the story and see the details of Jehoshaphat’s victory click here.