2 Chronicles 20:1-30.
King Jehoshaphat called the nation of Judah to fast after the news of their enemies coming against them. He knew that the united prayer of the people would honor God and demonstrate a state of humbleness, dependence, and commitment to Him.
They knew and declared that they had no power to face this army that was coming to fight against them. They had no idea what to do, but their eyes were on God. They all had faith that the Lord would deliver them, even though they didn't know how. God gave them instruction and direction, to sing His praises and before they reached the battleground, God had caused their opposition to turn on each other and they were all defeated.
This passage shows that God has given us all the weapons for warfare. Following the example of King Jehoshaphat, we see the miraculous result of His decision to call the nation to fast and pray together in order to seek God’s direction and salvation:
First, “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20:3 NKJV.
The king recognized that apart from God, he cannot do anything, he cannot battle alone, he acknowledge that his only source of salvation was the Lord. Proverbs 3:6 says to acknowledge God in ALL our ways and HE WILL direct our paths. For all decisions you need to make, inquire of the Lord; when a battle is waging against you, call a friend, call a fast, and war together in prayer. You have brothers and sisters in the Lord, you are not alone!
Second, “Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?” 2 Chronicles 20:7 NKJV.
Jehoshaphat reminded God of His past miraculous salvation for His people. The Lord tells Isaiah (43:26), “Put me in remembrance, let us contend together”. God wants us to always remember what He has done for us in the past, to keep those works constantly in our mind and heart so that we do not forget ALL that He has done for us because if He worked in our favor before, He will do it again. After an act of victory, the Israelites were commanded to build an altar as a reminder of what He had done and to continually speak of His wonderful works to others. In your situations, remind the Lord of His promises to you: “God, you will never leave me, nor forsake me; You are my provider; no weapon formed against me will prosper because You are my shield”, etc. Remember God's works and continually declared them!!
Third, “O our God, will You not judge them? For 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 20:12 NKJV.
Jehoshaphat recognized that all power and glory belong to the Lord. Our strength and wisdom come from the Lord alone. As we fast and pray, our eyes must continually look up for our salvation comes from Him. We must always humble ourselves and not do things in our own strength or wisdom because we have none apart from Him. His Holy Spirit leaving in us convicts us, brings us into His revelation knowledge, guides us and gives us spiritual and natural wisdom. Surrender every situation and every area of your life to the Lord, for His plans for you are to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future, (Jer. 29:11).
Fourth, “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.” 2 Chronicles 20:17 NKJV.
Then the Lord gave Jehoshaphat instructions after he fasted and prayed, call upon and sought the Lord, after he remembered that God is in control, what God had done before and is able to do still for them. After he humbled himself by recognizing that he could not do anything but that all power and salvation comes from God alone, then and only then he saw and received direction and salvation.
The Lord will always come to your rescue and will always glorify Himself in and through you. Do what is required of you,
