The Battle Is Not Yours But God's

2 Chronicles 20 has been discussed and referenced in many conversations within our church leadership over the past few weeks.   I have been spending some time in the passage as I have been praying for the many church members and friends who are facing various trials and difficulties. 

Please read 2 Chronicles 20.  What follows is a personal few observations from the passage and one suggested application for our church family. 

The opening verses set the stage:         After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi).   (2 Chron 20:1-2)

NOTE THE RESPONSE OF THE KING OF JUDAH:     Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  (2 Chron 20:3)  He had every reason to be afraid.  The enemy coming against them was fierce and committed to Judah’s destruction.  Yet his response was exactly the response we should have in the face of the trials and difficulties we face: seriously seek the Lord (through fasting) and encourage the community of faith to be a part of this. 

THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE was as it should be when faced with overwhelming enemies:  Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.  (2 Chron 20:4)  Notice they were seeking help, but more importantly they fasted and came together to seek the Lord.   It was not just a few of the people who sought the Lord, it included them all:  Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.  (2 Chron 20:13)

THE PRAYER THEY PRAYED did not begin by focusing on their circumstances or the enemy they faced, but on the Lord their God.  They began by praising the Lord for his sovereign rule, his power, his might, his dominion and his faithfulness.  Only after this confession of faith do we hear this humble acknowledgement of their weakness and great need:  For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.   (2 Chron 20:12)

THE RESPONSE OF GOD AND THE ASSURANCE OF VICTORY came through God’s prophet:   “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”   (2 Chron 20:15-17)

THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE OF FAITH AND OBEDIENCE deserves our attention:  They worshipped the Lord (v18),  they praised the Lord (v19), they believed the Lord (v20),  and they sang the songs of thanksgiving and praise (vv21-22)

THE VICTORY was certain, complete, and clearly the work of the Lord.  And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.  (2 Chron 20:22-23)

Think about where we are as a church and the trials many of our members face.  Think of our country and the enemy’s many strategies that oppose the truth of God, the family, even life itself.  What should be our response as individuals and as a church?              I would suggest to our leaders and our members that we set our face to seek the Lord, proclaim a fast, and assemble ourselves to seek help from the Lord.  I will be praying to that end.