Chronicles – Week 4

Joke:  When the pastor went to visit an older lady from his church. He mentioned that at her advanced age she should be thinking of the hereafter.

She told him, “Oh, I do it all the time.”

“No matter where I am – in the living room, upstairs, in the kitchen, or down in the basement, I am always asking myself: ‘Now, what am I here after?'”

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Chronicles – week 4

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you just didn’t know what to do.

Today I want to introduce you to a man who found himself in that same place, but his situation was a lot more serious than ours.

He’s the son of Asa. His name is Jehoshaphat and he was the 6^th king in the line of David.

Ezra, the author of the book, introduces him to us this way:

2 Chronicles 17:3–6 (NIV): The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals 4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. 5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. 6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

Now if you’ve ever been in a tight spot, if you’ve ever been in a place where you didn’t know what to do, if you’ve ever felt like you’re facing an enemy who is bigger than you, I want you to know your not the only one.   Jehoshaphat did do.   And do you know what he did?   He confessed, “I don’t know what to do.”  And he did that in front of God and everybody.

And after he admitted that he did exactly the right thing, not once, but eight times in a row.

Let me show you his story.   It’s in 2 Chronicles 20.

First a little background.  Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king.   And he reigned over Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, for 25 years. Jehoshaphat’s story spans two wars and a bad marriage.   I’ll tell you about the bad marriage next week. It almost wrecked the kingdom, even threatened to destroy God’s plans to send a Messiah through the line of David.   That’s next week. . .

The story begins with this from 2 Chronicles 20:1-2

2 Chronicles 20:1–2 (NIV): After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites  came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).

The Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites all lived on the east side of the Dead Sea. Their nations had been conquered under King David, and now they were rebelling.

How would you feel if you got word that a huge army, much bigger than your own, was coming to get you? What would you do?   Well here’s what Jehoshaphat did. . .

2 Chronicles 20:3–4 (NIV): Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

Three things Jehoshaphat did in this dark moment:

1. He resolved to inquire the Lord.
2. He proclaimed a fast.
3. He gathered the people to seek God together

Last week as we looked at Asa we learned:  that the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.

And at the first sign of danger, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord because that’s just what he knew to do.  His heart was fully devoted to the Lord.    And as we will find out God showed himself strong.

And so before I get to far let me pose this question for you. . .How’s your heart these days?   Who or what is it devoted to?

To deepen his commitment, he called a fast.  One of the things a fast can do is remind you that you do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

And Jehoshaphat also gathers the people together because there is strength in numbers.  – Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.   And we also know Scripture says, that wherever two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus,  there He is in the midst.

But Jehoshaphat does something else also. . .

2 Chronicles 20:5 (NIV): Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard

What did he do in front of that courtyard?  He prayed, here is his prayer. . .

2 Chronicles 20:6–12 (NIV): and said:  “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ 10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Jehoshaphat begins by reminding God of who He is and what He’s done for them in the past. “You rule with power, and you’ve been there for all the descendants of Abraham,” he says.

Then Jehoshaphat tells of their their commitment to the Him, “We built your sanctuary. We’ve worshiped you there. And now, we’re crying out to you from that very place.”

After that he goes on to present the problem: “We’re being invaded by people we once had mercy on.”

And He calls on God for justice. “Will you not judge?”

Let me pause and say this about what we see Jehoshaphat doing, it’s not that God forgot what he’s done, or that he doesn’t know about your commitment or your problem, but it’s because when we remind God of what He’s done and the promises He’s made we are saying that we believe and depending on Him to do it again.

The climax of Jehoshaphat’s prayer is a prayer I have prayed more than a few times.   He says, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Some translations use but we look to you.

And that prayer works in every situation.

God I’m struggling with this addiction, I’ve tried but I still struggle and I don’t know what else to do, but my eyes are on you.  We look to you.

God, I don’t know where my next meal is coming from, but my eyes are on you.  We look to you.

God I’m short this week for rent and I don’t know what to do, but I look to you.

How did God answer his prayer He sent a prophet to say this. . .

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV): He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

How many times have you faced something difficult and felt like you were all alone in it?  No one else standing in the fight with you.

Listen church the battle you are facing is not yours, but God’s.

And then Jahaziel, that’s the one the Spirit of God came upon to deliver these words to Jehoshaphat continues with:

2 Chronicles 20:16 (NIV): Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.

I love this next part. . .

2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV): You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ ”

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you

I don’t know if you realize this or not but that’s not how most battles are won.  Simply by just taking up your positions; and standing firm.

I’m glad the second part was added you know where it says, do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  I’m sure that brought some encouragement.

Verse 18. . .

2 Chronicles 20:18–19 (NIV): Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

So, Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord, called a fast, gathered the people, prayed but he didn’t stop there. . .

He led the people in worship.  Look at verse 19 again. . .

2 Chronicles 20:19 (NIV): Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

And what do you suppose happened the next day?  How many Israelite’s do you think died in the battle?

Watch this. . .

2 Chronicles 20:20 (NIV): Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. . .

Tekoa is about 12 miles south of Jerusalem. It’s a fairly easy hike, since it’s all downhill.  And just before they started the hike, Jehoshaphat gives a peep talk to and the text says. . .

2 Chronicles 20:20 (NIV): . . .Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”

I love this next part. . .

2 Chronicles 20:21 (KJV): And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Once again not how most battles are one.  Just sing your to victory.

Yet here’s what I know. . .

• When I’m being persecuted, just. . .praise the Lord for his mercy endureth forever.
• When the enemy is on the attack, just. . . praise the Lord for his mercy endureth forever.

When I’m in a difficult season, just. . . praise the Lord for his mercy endureth forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV): Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

There’s power in worship church.    God inhabits the praises of His people.   This is how we fight our battles.

They sang and worshipped and look what happened.

2 Chronicles 20:22–23 (NIV): As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

There is power in praise. Something happens when we use our voices to make a melody to God.

Jehoshaphat sees the Lord, calls a fast, gathers the people prays and worships as he appointed people not to take up a sword or shield but to sing.

Who would have thought that a major move to defeat an enemy would involve worship and singing?

Let me say again, this is how we fight our battles.

This story even gets better because check this out.

2 Chronicles 20:24 (NIV): When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

Maybe you didn’t catch that so let me just point it out.

Jehoshaphat and the people hadn’t even arrived at the battle yet.  They were just being obedient to the word.   Going out to take up their positions and in the going they were worshipping. . .singing praise the Lord for his mercy endureth forever.

And their worship moved Heaven before they could even get in the battle.

And hear this church.  Worship will shift circumstances, move nations, shift atmospheres.  Rejoice always. . .worship always.

They didn’t know what was going on at the battlefield.

But if you will just be obedient, pray, seek His face, worship with everything you’ve got.  God will fight for you, he will help the situation long before you arrive to see it.

So, again here’s the story once upon a time, there was a big bad army coming against the people of God. The people did not know what to do, but they resolved to seek the Lord. They gathered together; they fasted; they prayed; they heard a word from God from one of His prophets; and they worshiped. They began to sing, and God performed a miracle: He ambushed their enemies. . .and the people lived happily ever after!

What a story, but wait!  There’s more:

2 Chronicles 20:25–26 (NIV): So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.

Berakah means praise.  The place became the valley of praise.

And that’s why through I walk through the valley yet will I praise Him.

And so with everything that Jehoshaphat did.  The gathering, the fasting, the prayer he also made sure to bless the Lord.

And because of all of that, they had peace and rest.

2 Chronicles 20:27–30 (NIV): Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets. 29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

That’s the revival under King Jehoshaphat: A terrible disaster looks like it’s going to ruin the nation. Nobody knows what to do.  But one man, the king, stands up and says, “I’m going to seek the Lord.”

He asks the nation to join him, in fasting, in gathering together to pray and ask God to deliver them. God answers through Jahaziel.  He tells them God’s got this.  He says. The battle is the Lord’s.   And He is inviting you to come and watch.

The people believe. They bow down to thank God in faith for what He’s going to do, and they rise up with praise and with singing.  Early the next morning, they sing their way to the battlefield, where, instead of having to engage the enemy, they find out that the enemy has engaged themselves.

So the people help themselves to the spoils, which took days to collect.  They return home and hold another worship service, and then they enjoy the rest God gives them.

Ezra, who chronicles this story for us, is teaching us a few things so let me close with those lessons.

Number 1 he’s showing us that. . .

God is there and God is aware.   You may think it’s only your battle, but God is aware and is ready to help if you will just lean on Him and not just your own understanding.  Nothing is hidden from God.

Hebrews 4:13 (NIV): Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Number 2. . .

Prayer is powerful, more powerful than any enemy you may need to fight.

Let me just pause here a moment and say this.  Maybe you feel like your fighting a Goliath, but let me tell you that it could be because God wants to reveal you.  See, God doesn’t send giants to kill you, he sends them to reveal you.  David was just a shepherd boy, but it revealed to him and those watching that he was capable to be king.  God sends you Goliath’s to reveal your power and influence, and to show the devil whose boss.

So, even when we don’t know what to pray for. Jehoshaphat’s prayer is one of the simplest, yet most profound prayers in all of Scripture. He just says… We do not know what to do, but we look to you.

Listen to how Paul instructs us. . .

Romans 8:26 (NLT): And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

When you’re in a dark moment, or a difficult situation, facing your Goliath’s you don’t have to have the solution to your problem. You just have to remember who does.  Just be willing to take up your position.

Another thing Ezra is trying to show us is that. . .

God is able to turn whatever comes against you against itself.

• He can turn trials into triumphs.
• Failures into learning lessons.
• Enemies into providers for your needs.

God can take anything that is coming against you and use it for you. . .He does that because He is for you.

And lastly he is showing us that. . .

God can turn and use evil for good.

In Romans 8, right after telling us that the Spirit prays for us when we don’t know how to pray for ourselves, Paul says. . .

Romans 8:28 (NLT): And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Genesis 50:20 (NLT): You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people

That was Joseph talking with his brothers that lied to their dad, had him sold, left him for dead, but God took the evil that was plotted against him and took him from a prison and placed in a palace.

Jehoshaphat’s enemies thought they were coming to steal, kill, and destroy. But God had other plans because He comes to bring life and that more abundantly.

Today, if your facing a seemingly big giant remember that Jesus says,  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon me and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

It’s time church to take back what the enemy has stolen.  And rest in the promises of God.

• Take back your joy
• Take back your worship
• Take back your peace
• Take back your health
• Take back your passion to serve the Lord

Take back what ever it is the enemy has robbed from you.

Remember that you are destined to be in 23.