“And all Judah
stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel,
the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the
LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and
ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD
unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the
battle is not yours, but God’s. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they
come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook,
before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set
yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah
and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for
the LORD will be with you.” (2Chronicles 20:13-17 KJV)
beautiful day in Israel. The sky was a rich blue, devoid of clouds, and the
people were enjoying the beauty surrounding them. They had spent the morning
joyfully going about their individual responsibilities and concerns. Then the
news came down from the palace. A Moabite and Ammonite coalition army was
headed toward Israel. Everyone was asked to assemble their families at the
Temple where the King was praying about what to do.
Jehoshaphat stood up in the midst of Israel and began praying aloud. First, he
gave glory and honor and praise unto God. Then, he reminded the Lord of how God
had given the land to Israel for an inheritance. Next, he reminded the Lord
that Israel had built a sanctuary to honor the Lord and to assure Israel that
the Lord would hear their prayers. Next, he explained the current situation to
the Lord: When Israel had departed from Egypt, God had protected Ammon and Moab
from Israel. But now Moab and Ammon had put together a coalition army to
attempt an invasion of Israel.
Jehoshaphat committed everything to God: “O our God, wilt thou not judge
them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us;
neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (v. 12 KJV).
God came upon Jahaziel, one of the Levites, who said: “Do not be afraid
nor even dismayed about this enemy, because this battle is God’s and not yours.
Go out and face them, but you will not have
to fight them. Just stand still before them and watch how God saves you. Do not
fear! Do be dismayed! The Lord will be with you!”
before us in all its beauty and disappointing news, be determined to keep your
eyes on the Lord. Watch the Lord! He will neither fail you nor forsake you.
Stand still before the enemy without fear or dismay and watch how God delivers
you. Remember, this battle is the Lord’s and not your! Remember, the Lord is
with you!
power or resources to defeat the enemy. We may not know what to do first or
next, but we are watching the Lord. And he is always with us!
you for your constant presence. Empower us to face the enemy with the assurance
that the battle is yours and not ours. Grant that we may watch how you save us.
I pray this in the name of Jesus.
courageous today with your eyes on the Lord,