“…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
Prepared for war, the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites, all enemies of God’s people, had joined forces and were fast approaching the nation of Judah. Judah’s army was greatly outnumbered and no match for the combined strength and weapons of the enemy coalition. The situation appeared hopeless for the people of Judah.
This morning my devotions were in 2 Chronicles Chapter 20. I was immediately struck by the similarity of the passage to our current world events – a military powerhouse with the largest land mass in the world, seeking to brutally annihilate a small independent nation and its people for the sole purpose of amassing more power and land. (Russia 6.6 million square miles, Ukraine 233,031 square miles just smaller than the state of Texas. TheHill.com) The tragedy and horrors of the Ukrainian situation are beyond heartbreaking and should bring every believer to her (or his) knees interceding on behalf of the people of Ukraine.
After a prayer for the Ukrainians, I continued reading. The chapter contained underlines and notes in the margins from the previous times I had lingered in this chapter, but today the passage was talking more directly to me than ever.
Lately, it has seemed that many “hordes” have been on the attack in my life. And it is not just me, many of my loved ones and close friends are also experiencing a bombardment of assaults from various and unexpected directions: illness, death in the family, job loss, fractured family relationships, conflicts with other believers, disappointments, ministry setbacks, and the list goes on. Hard and heavy stuff. All of us believers, all actively seeking to follow God.
Which brings me back to 2 Chronicles Chapter 20; godly King Jehoshaphat knew his armies were greatly outnumbered and left to their own resources; defeat was inevitable. Verse 3 says, “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid….” Definitely understandable in the situation. But King Jehoshaphat did not try to deal with the fear on his own; he took definitive steps that provide a remarkable example of how God intends for us to deal with our fears. Verse 3 continues, “and set his face to seek the LORD….”
- He called for a national fast (v. 3).
- He assembled all the people of Judah for a time of corporate prayer and supplication (v. 4).
- He prayed a powerful prayer: proclaiming God’s sovereignty, remembering the times that God had saved His people in the past, crying out for rescue, declaring with faith “You will hear and save,” and acknowledging Judah’s powerlessness in the face of the enemy (v. 5-13).
Then the Spirit of the LORD gave the prophet, Jahaziel, an encouraging message for the people of Judah,
“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…. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.” 2 Chronicles 20:17
Hearing this, King Jehoshaphat and all of the people fell to their knees to worship the LORD. The Levites concluded the worship with a time of praise. (v.18-19)
Early the following morning, led by the Temple’s praise choir singing in full voice, the army of Judah marched in faith to the battle ground where they found the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and the Meunites dead on the ground. Every last one of them. God delivered Judah from the mighty horde that was so certain victory was theirs. (v. 20-30)
Friend, when the hordes gather and threaten your peace, your sanity, your safety, your family, your marriage, your finance, whatever the target, your fears will likely rise. But step back, take a deep breath, grab your Bible, and read 2 Chronicles Chapter 20, then act:
- Seek the LORD.
- Fast: If you feel led and it is appropriate for you, some form of fasting is an excellent way to focus your heart and mind on God.
- Engage Support: Reach out to your prayer partners, your church family, your Christian friends and family, a trusted counselor, or your pastor. If you don’t have someone that you can turn to who will support you in prayer, let me know – I would be honored to pray for you. There is power in prayer. (James 5:16)
- Pray with honesty, humility, a repentant spirit, and in faith believing. If you’re unsure how to pray, King Johoshaphat’s prayer is a great example:
- Acknowledge who God is – Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, holy, powerful, mighty, righteous, just
- Thank God for His help and blessings of the past
- Tell Him your situation – hide nothing, He already knows it all, but He wants to hear it from you
- Admit that without Him, you can do nothing – without Him, the hordes will win
- Praise God for the transforming work that He is doing in your life
And then march into battle with faith in your heart and praise on your lips.
Stand Firm.
Hold your position.
See the salvation of the LORD.
Never take your eyes off of your LORD and God.