Jehoshaphat Had No Plan Except One – to Fix His Eyes on the Lord. That Was a Good Plan!
Most of us are familiar with the famous men in the Bible who – with God’s help – overcame great obstacles like David and Goliath and Daniel in the lions den but have you ever heard of Jehoshaphat?
Jehoshaphat is not well known but his story is JUST as amazing as the men listed above!
So let’s take a look at this King in the book of 2 Chronicles chapter 20. Jehoshaphat was a good and godly king who made some bad alliances. As a result, he woke up one day to the terrifying news that a multitude of men from Moab and Ammon were coming to attack Judah and Jerusalem.
Jehoshaphat was afraid.
3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:3
Have you ever felt like Jehoshaphat?
Afraid because you were facing something so large you didn’t even know how to face it?
Jehoshaphat knew he was powerless to save his people so – he sought the Lord. In front of all his people, he went to the Lord in prayer and he ended his prayer with this:
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 Chronicles 20:12
Have you been there? Where you have no idea what to do and feel completely powerless to fix things?
Jehoshaphat had NO plan except one – to fix his eyes on the Lord.
That was a good plan!
Jehoshaphat was powerless to win this battle and he knew it. Look at what was happening while Jehoshaphat was praying:
13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
2 Chronicles 20:13
As the king stood before his people praying, the women and children stood nearby watching. It was common for entire cities to be wiped out in battle including complete families and so this was a frightening time where everyone felt helpless.
Jehoshaphat must have felt the weight of the world on his shoulders as he looked out over all the people he was responsible for.
In God’s great mercy and kindness – he sent a prophet, named Jahaziel, who gave Jehoshaphat these words of encouragement:
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 Chronicles 20:15-17
Are you ready to see how they won the battle?
Check this out!
First, Jehoshaphat called on his people to believe.
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”
Second, the army marched out into battle led by the choir!
21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures forever.”
And finally, as the choir sang praise, the two armies coming against them — destroyed each other.
22 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. 23 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.
24 When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more.
Friends!!! That’s our God!
The God of Jehoshaphat is our God too!
The prophet told Jehoshaphat to:
1. Standfirm.
2. Hold your position.
3. See the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.
Jehoshaphat obeyed:
1. He stood firm in his belief.
2. They held their position in battle while singing songs.
3. They watched the Lord win the battle for them.
Are you in a the midst of your own private battle today?
Standfirm.
Are you wearing yourself out trying to win your battles on your own?
Fix your eyes on the Lord!
This was Jehoshaphat’s one plan and it was a good one!
God’s battle plan looks nothing like man’s. His ways are higher than ours.
How unnatural it must have felt for the army of Judah to stand and sing rather than swing a sword. This probably made no sense to anyone around them but with God – all things are possible!
It’s the same for us.
Those around us may not understand how we can keep trusting in God and praising him through our trials but we know – we know we have a mighty God who is taking care of us, even when we don’t yet know the outcome.
Do you see how many times they were told to not give way to fear?
If you are facing something so overwhelming you cannot even see a solution – Fix your eyes on the Lord. Believe. Stand firm. Keep worshipping God and trusting in him. He loves you so much!
Walk with the King,
Courtney
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I have just joined this group and I m loving it so far. I was lead to do study on Rest and Release and for good reasons. I have been battling with a situation in our home. I m have been so angry with my daughter over the last six months and feel like I am becoming bitter. I believe that the Lord is leading me the study in how to rest and release and today’s reading in 2 Chronicles goes with Week 1, day 2. It amazes me when the Lord repeats himself and I know that it is from him and that he wants me to do what he says and to trust him. The take away for me was the battle is the Lord and that everything is under control even though I don’t see it.
This post is awesome! Thank you!
Thank you for this post. Because of life, the economy, the pandemic and some not so prudent decisions years ago, we are now facing very overwhelming financial setbacks. I don’t have an idea how to fix anything, I feel completely powerless and overwhelmed by everything that is going on. I have no plans, but I’m going to fix my eye on the Lord. I’m going to keep trusting and praising Him, knowing that He is mighty and more than able to take care of me and my family.
I haven’t done a GMG study in a while, but God knew I needed this encouragement today.
Beautiful post , needed it today. Thank you ?
Thank you Lord for this amazing post written by Courtney with Your wisdom. It has blessed my heart and mind, and has given me such hope to keep my eyes on You Lord, to standfirm, believe, and keeping worshiping and trusting You in the battle! ???