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Jehoshaphat Teaches Trust In The Lord 2Chr. 20
Jehoshaphat Teaches Trust In the LORD
2Chron. 20
What to do in times of trouble? Jehoshaphat is faced with a great multitude of an enemy army that would overwhelm the army of Israel. The obvious answer for a godly man is pray! He did.
1. Acknowledge the power of God 6-9
2. Acknowledge the problem to God - 10-11
3. Petition God for your desire - 12
God answered their prayer with assurance that the battle was not theirs but God's (vs. 15). As such God told them they were not to fight (vs. 17) but "believe in the LORD your God" and "believe his prophets". Such was the great gift of God to them. Such battle would be won by their faith.
All they had to do was believe? Yes, but 'believe' is to 'trust' and to 'trust' is to obey what the Lord says. Believing God is not 'faith only' but a faith that trusts God enough to do what He says. They were told NOT to fight. How can you win a war without fighting? Trust God. BUT while God instructed them that they were not to fight, he also instructed them to "go out against them." While they stood face to face for the battle they were to "stand firm, hold your position". Facing an overwhelming army they were to "not be afraid and not to be dismayed" (vs. 17). They were instructed to send singers to be dressed in holy attire and go before the army giving praise unto the Lord. Now THAT is some battle plan!
Trusting God does not mean 'do nothing'. Often there are conditions and instructions that are given. While they did not have to actually fight they did have to obey. In this situation I do think that the inclination would be that fighting would be better than singing! Yet trusting in God had them singing while the army stood firm and did not fight.
God keeps his promises. God is faithful to what He says. God turned the enemy against itself and they destroyed each other. Israel 'won the battle' without fighting. Israel won the battle by standing firm and singing! Israel won the battle by faith.
Sometimes God's instructions don't make any worldly sense at all. It is then that our real attitude towards God becomes apparent. Do we abandon God's instructions and do what seems right in our own minds or do we obey God.
Trust and Obey, for there's no other way. Be faithful to God and keep His word.
