“…for the battle is not yours, but God’s”
(2 Chron. 20:15)
There will always be obstacles that rise up against us believers, causing our faith to be tested. All of us can, and many of us do experience a troublesome variety of adversities.
They can come in the form of delays from God and also from the enemy. They can manifest as discouraging circumstances, illness, financial shortages, work difficulties, marriage trials, and many other challenges. The Apostle Paul said he was troubled on EVERY SIDE, yet not distressed. (2 Cor. 4:8) One moment everything can seem perfect, yet within hours a storm can arise that leaves us reeling. Some of us, like Paul, are even now feeling pressed on EVERY SIDE. Some may indeed need a miracle, maybe even a “right-now” miracle.
Sometimes we face overwhelming odds. Jehoshaphat knew what it was like to have warfare coming against him from multiple fronts. In 2 Chron. 20:1, “It came to pass AFTER THIS also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.” Verse 2 tells us there came a GREAT multitude against Jehoshaphat from beyond the sea (The Dead Sea). We must constantly remember that the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence. Matt. 11:12 Violence in this Scripture means you are being pressed upon. Our battle strategy lies in remembering that the battlefield is in the mind.
The first verse of 2 Chron. 20 states, “AFTER THIS.” We should ask ourselves, ‘AFTER WHAT?” In Jehoshaphat’s case; After he went forward to establish order in the Kingdom. After he went forth to bring people back to the Lord God. After he set judges in the land. After he went forward to bring REFORM. (2 Chron. 19:4,5,8) In other words, after he did what God asked him to do.
“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah”. 2 Chron. 20:3 The King was afraid. Sometimes we also may fear, but we have access to keys that can help us win every battle. Fear may temporarily cause our focus to change. We are reminded that fasting can break every yoke of the enemy. (Isa. 58:6)
KEYS TO BREAKTHROUGH
Learn how to position yourselves before the LORD. This takes much practice, energy and time. We must practice how to quiet our souls. We must wait for God to speak (Hab. 2:1), then practice hearing what He is saying. His perspective and ours are vastly different. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. (Isa. 55:8)THE SECOND KEY: Fast. (verse 3) See Isa. 58: 3-12
I would advise anyone not experienced with fasting to do your research and consult a healthcare professional before a fast. God promises that fasting will cause our light to break forth; our health to spring forth speedily and righteousness to go before us. (Isa. 58:8)THE THIRD KEY: Pray (verses 5-12)
Jehoshaphat knew how to ask right questions. He asked the LORD, “ARE YOU NOT? (verse 6) “DID YOU NOT? (verse 7) “WILL YOU NOT?” (verse 12). Jehoshaphat is praying exactly as Solomon did in 2 Chron. 6:20, 28-30. Asking the right questions takes skill. Researching and praying the Word of God will help us formulate the appropriate question and bring us the answers.
THE FOURTH KEY: Face God (verse 12)
Jehoshaphat admitted that he did NOT know what to do, but he humbled himself and said, “…but our eyes are upon you.” We should not be afraid to admit that we don’t know what to do. God knows our weaknesses and He knows how to address our needs. He wants us to ask for wisdom and He will not chastise us for asking. After asking, we must believe that He will give us the wisdom we need. (James 1:5-8)
THE FIFTH KEY: Stand (verse 17)
After facing God, the answer came through the Levite, Jahaziel, saying “You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord with you.” (2 Chron. 20:17). “I will [in my thinking] stand upon my post of observation” (Hab. 2:1). “And the Lord answered me” (Hab. 2:2). The LORD may use someone in our lives to bring the answer for, or solution to a problem.
THE SIXTH KEY: Be Thankful (verse 21)
As they began to sing and praise the Lord saying “Praise Ye the Lord, For His Mercy Endures Forever” (2 Chron. 20:21), the Lord set ambushments against all of Jehoshaphat’s enemies. God moves on behalf of grateful people. Murmuring, complaining, ungratefulness and grumbling will shut the Heaven’s against us and cause us to be vulnerable to a curse. “Because you served not the Lord your God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of ALL things; therefore, you shall serve your enemies which the Lord shall send against you, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in the lack of all things” (Deut. 28:47-48).
None of us want these woes to come on us. May we all become a grateful and thankful people, praising God always.
