When God gives the victory.

When God gives the victory.
2 Chronicles 20:1-23
“You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”

Jehoshaphat was facing a significant threat. Three nations, Moab, Ammon and the Meunites, had allied and were marching against Judah. The report came to Jehoshaphat that this large army was invading the land and he was terrified. After leading the nation of Judah in spiritual reforms, it was troubling that instead of a blessing, they now faced the threat of adversaries. In response to this invasion, Jehoshaphat calls the people to assemble at the temple for a national prayer. In his prayer, Jehoshaphat demonstrates his trust and faith in God. As he prays, he rests upon four crucial truths that give him confidence that God will respond. First, he affirms the unequaled power of God, who reigns over all nations. God is more than just the God of Judah; he is the God over all the heavens and all the nations of the earth. There is power and might in God’s hand, which no one can stand against (vs. 6).

Second, Jehoshaphat appeals to the promise that Solomon made when he built the temple (vs. 9). In Solomon’s prayer of dedication (2 Chron. 6:12-42), Solomon prayed that God would respond to the prayers of the people if they came to the temple to seek the help of God in times of attack. This promise is what Jehoshaphat appeals to now.

Last, he appeals to the Abrahamic covenant in which God promised to give the land to them as their possession (vs. 11). Last, Jehoshaphat affirms that they are powerless and helpless without the help of God (vs. 12). This brings us to the heart of prayer. Prayer involves the recognition on our part of our need for God and recognizing that we are helpless apart from him.
Even as he was praying, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, the Levite. Inspired by the presence of God, Jahaziel announces that there is nothing to fear, for God himself will fight the battle for them. They are not to be broken down with fear or downhearted because of their adversaries, for the battle is not theirs but God’s. Not that he will just aid them in the war, but he will entirely fight for them. Their initial fear was that God would be the spectator while they fought the battle. Instead, they will be the spectators while he fights the battle. They will not even have to raise a sword.

In the morning, when they go out to confront the enemy, Jehoshaphat does something remarkable.   Instead of calling the people to arms, He calls them to a sing-a-long. Instead of leading them in battle, he leads them in a praise and thanksgiving service. (vs. 21). However, that is not what is remarkable. What is surprising is that he leads the people in a service of thanksgiving for God’s victory over their enemies before the battle even started. Such is the mark of faith. It is easy to offer prayers of thanksgiving after God has delivered us from adverse circumstances. However, it is a different story to give thanks even before the crisis is over.  

Often we are faced with adversity and struggles in our own life. In those times, it is easy to lose our focus on God. We become obsessed with the problem rather than resting on the promises of God. But, like Judah, we need to remember who our God is, that he is the ruler of the universe. Sometimes he completely fights the battle for us, sometimes, he gives us the strength to fight the battle, but he always provides us with the assurance of the outcome. Regardless of our circumstances, we know that God is with us.  He protects us and provides what we need to ensure that his purposes for us will be achieved. Therefore, we can be thankful before the battle even begins.