We have so much conflict today. Man is perplexed with finding solutions to age old problems. He looks at one secular solution only to find it never has worked and likely never will. We throw more money and time and effort into problems often to find out that the answer seems unattainable. The reason is that man is looking for answers in the wrong place. So much so that he doesn’t even know where the real problem exists. We treat symptoms only to find that the malady survives somehow. This article will help to focus not only on the real problem, but to actually find success on the battlefield.
2 Chronicles 20:15, and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
Whenever man commits to God’s way the adversary (1 Peter 5:8) immediately takes special notice and challenges that heartfelt commitment. That is exactly what happened to Jehoshaphat. With an advancing enemy coming toward Jerusalem, this “under-matched” king had no real “secular” hope. All things valued and accounted for, he was outmatched, “outgunned,” and without any real strategy. Yet, God promised him victory.
Our commitment to God will always be challenged from every direction. The truth be known, we are as prepared as Jehoshaphat was. Just like the king, God tells His children that victory is imminent. The secret is in our strategies focusing on the spiritual and not the world we see around us. Our weapons need to be spiritual and our reward is eternal. We must learn to avoid the fearful imaginations of childishness, control our own minds, and be the courageous people we are designed to be. Most of all we must never give up. Let’s start walking toward the battle field!
2 Chronicles 20:1-4, Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek The Lord.
When Jehoshaphat received the news that the enemy was approaching, the very first thing he did was to go to God in prayer. Instead of running away from the moment, he knelt to God. As a leader he called all within his rule to fasting. He saw to himself and others by realizing this was going to be resolved spiritually before anything else.
Our first response to tragedy or trouble has to be seeking the presence of God. When overwhelming problems occur, we have to face the truth of our own powerlessness. We also have to admit the supreme and infinite power of our loving Father. Humility toward God will always be the starting point of our own wisdom.
Amazingly, the Lord instructed the choir of Israel to precede the army of Israel while singing praises to God. Do not think that was some unthoughtful command in the history of God’s people. When we make ourselves the servants of God, recognizing Him as king, He grants us victory in the most unlikely circumstances. Are we praying and trusting the way we should? Are we running and hiding and ultimately cursing God for the fate we experience?
We will be looking at this scenario in the next few weeks. The question is where we stand on the spiritual battlefield of our time here. I know that times are difficult and even overwhelming. Remember your commitment to the one who saves us all. Godspeed in your battle…