”Do
not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not
yours, but God's…Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the
LORD will give you…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged… Have faith in the
LORD your God and you will be upheld.” (2 Chronicles 20:15,17, 20 NIV)
It’s said of King Jehoshaphat that the Lord
was with him, for he walked the roads that David his father had passed during
his earlier years. He sought no strange gods, but only to obey the Lord. It
says even about Jehoshaphat that he was proud
to walk ways of the Lord (2 Chron. 17:6). This made Jehoshaphat important
and powerful, and the kingdoms around Judah did not dare wage war against
them. He introduced several reforms that would make the people of Judah
able to better serve the Lord.
But the
surrounding people, who saw Jehoshaphat and the Jews' success joined forces and
went to attack them, and for the first time, it is written about Jehoshaphat
that he was gripped by fear. He realized that the Jewish people would not
compel anything against the great throng who now wanted to go on the attack
against them. But when all the people, all of Judah, went before the Lord, with
their children, wives and sons, God sent a prophetic word, with the consolation
and encouragement found in today's scripture reading.
Often there can
be a similar feeling for us today, as though those who stand against the
Christian community is a very hostile crowd. But the Lord's words of
consolation and encouragement are still valid. God calls us to do only three things:
go forward, stand firm and watch the Lord rescue you.
Prayer
Lord thank you for the promises you gave to
your people long ago, also applies today. Thank You for the secure foothold we
have when we trust in you.
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