“We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 2 Chronicles 20:12bHave you ever felt total despair? Have you ever felt completely defeated against an enemy, not knowing what to do or where to turn? 2 Chronicles 20 tells the story of such a situation. The answer: keep your eyes upon God; allow Him to fight for you.
The peoples of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir came up against Judah. When King Jehoshaphat heard this he immediately turned to God. What a great example for us to follow!
As individuals we may not have great armies come up against us, but we can experience enormous turmoil in our lives. Our personal problems can sometimes overwhelm us. What to do? Turn to God; fix your eyes upon Him. Give God complete dominion over your life and your troubles.
When Jehoshaphat was told of his approaching enemy, he was fearful and the first thing he did was to “set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (v. 3). Those with him, all of Judah, gathered together to seek the Lord; in other words, he enlisted those loyal to him to seek the Lord with him.
Jehoshaphat not only prayed before God, but he prayed with confidence, calling upon the strength of the Lord, knowing God alone could deliver him. Jehoshaphat knew he had no power to save himself but he trusted God completely, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the Lord God.
“O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?” (v. 6)God replies to Jehoshaphat in verse 15 saying, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of the great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Further, verse 17 records, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
Jehoshaphat went to the battlegrounds knowing the victory was his. So much so, he enlisted singers to go before the army saying, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever” (v. 21).
When Jehoshaphat and his army arrived at the battlegrounds the enemy was already dead…God had caused them to destroy one another (v. 23).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, God loves us. Call upon Him; have confidence in Him; give all your troubles to Him; keep your eyes fixed upon the Creator; He fights for you.
God Bless!
