Scripture:
2 Chronicles 20: 17 – 23
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’
” Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice. Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever.”As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. (NIV)
Observation:
Jehoshaphat uses some seemingly unorthodox methods to win a battle. But in worship and trust to the Lord he and the army declare how holy and splendid their God is. They praised the Lord for his enduring love. Worship is an unusual stratagem for an army but this is no usual army. They are ones who are able and ready to war, but have a promise in their hearts – they are ones who are competent to do battle, but today their battle is to stand in worship and the ‘spiritual warfare’ worship brings. They have a promise in their hearts – ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’ While Jehoshaphat and his armies are focused on God and living in a place of trust during the battle, their enemies are confused and actually begin fighting each other.
Application:
Worship makes more of a statement than adoration alone (though it is that) it is a statement of trust in the midst of battle. Worship moves us to a place of allowing the “battle to be the Lord’s” Worship takes our cares and places them upon God and it takes our warring hands and plans and allows them to be placed in the hands of the Lord. May we take our cues from the Lord, follow His promptings and trust Him, even in times of struggle and battle. Worship is always the right thing to do and often times the warring we need in times of battle. May we be ready to work and fight as the Lord leads but equally as ready to worship and let the Lord war for us. It is possible to get in God’s way and attempt to defend us when the Lord is ‘our defense.’
Prayer:
Dear God, use Jehoshaphat and his army to remind me of obedience, even when it seems odd or awkward. Remind me to trust you in all things and be ready to work and war, but also to be ready to step aside and let you do what only you can do. You are splendid, you are holy, you are loving and your love endures forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
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