Sometimes things simply take us by surprise. On the surface
the circumstances seem insurmountable.
We know that the enemy is powerful, well equipped, and wily. We don’t have a clue how to respond.
That is when we must simply turn our eyes upon the
Lord. He is our protector and a very
present help in times of trouble.
So, what did Jehoshaphat do?
Send a party out to try to ask for peace?
Capitulate and surrender?
Gather his generals together and call up reinforcements and fight the battle under their own power?
No. He called all of
the people together for prayer.
He prays publicly, himself, and says these words.
10 And now behold, the men ofAmmon and Moab and Mount Seir,
whom you would not
let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they
avoided and did not destroy— 11 behold, they
reward us by coming to
drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God,
will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this
great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes
are on you.”
Well spoken!
In times of difficulty, uncertainty and
crisis, there is nothing we can do that will be more effective than going to
God as Jehoshaphat did. Acknowledging our own inability, our own might, but
looking to the Sovereign One who is our refuge and strength.
It’s a great story as to how
God brings Judah the victory. Instead of
giving them a fool proof battle plan of strength, God instructs the King to put
the “choir” up front, going ahead of the fighting men. A group of singers, “praising the beauty of
holiness”.
Here is how the story ends:
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And
when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants
of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be
established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 And when he had taken counsel
with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went
before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the Lord,for his steadfast love endures forever.”
22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
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