Transformed Women For Christ

Are you spiritually restless and anxious? Do you seek a full assurance of faith? Even if you have been a Christian your whole life you may still find yourself lacking confidence, feeling powerless, afraid of things that are occurring of which you have no control. Are you spiritually malnourished?

In 2 Chron 20 we find King Jehoshaphat, King of Judah of the Southern Kingdom. He is relatable to us because he tries to do what is right. He’s tried to unify, to appoint judges, Levites, and bring the people back to the Lord. We find him in chapter 20 with three nations coming against him for battle. The Moabites, the Ammonites and some Meunites and they are a great multitude. He is afraid. They are only 15 miles away.

King Jehoshaphat had fought battles before. He had hundreds of thousands of mighty men of valor, but yet this great horde made him feel utterly afraid. Hopeless. However, King Jehoshaphat didn’t start gathering his men, nor did he meet with his generals and commanders first. Instead he goes up to the Assembly of Judah in Jerusalem and prays to the Lord.

What is the first thing we do when we are afraid? When we need support? Do we call our best friend or mom for support and encouragement or advice? Or…do you open your Bible to look for God’s Word? Do you pray?

Unlike many of us, King Jehoshaphat set his heart to seek the Lord. He and all of Judah assembled to seek the Lord. He prays some very powerful words when he said, “In Your hand are the power and might so that non is able to withstand you.” 2 Chron 20:6b ESV Later in verse 12 he says, “O our God, will you not execute judgement on them? 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.”

King Jehoshaphat didn’t always make the wisest decisions before this event, nor after, but he had his heart set to seek God and God was merciful. How many times do we deceive ourselves by preoccupying our minds with what’s truly in our hearts? Desire leads us down dark paths if it isn’t God’s desire for us. Romans 8:26 tells us, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” ESV For us today reading this, we know that when you accept Jesus Christ into your life the Holy Spirit dwells within you and makes the impossible possible. Sometimes we pray for the wrong things-for things that are material or for our own pleasure. That, of course, displeases the Lord. When Rom 8:28 tells us that the “Spirit helps us”, this is the Greek present tense meaning He is continuously helping us. I sure am comforted to know that!

We are always weak. We are weakest when we try to live the Christian life with our own strength.

God spoke through a prophet to King Jehoshaphat and told them the battle is not theirs but God’s. 2 Chron 20:15 “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” ESV And the people praised. Before they saw any change, before their prayers were given a solution or strategy for winning, they praised and worshipped. King Jehoshaphat did not tell God what he wanted Him to do, no instructions. He didn’t ask for anything except God’s will. His judgement. Whether that be those 3 nations raiding and killing them all or God giving King Jehoshaphat’s army the victory. Either one, he was willing to endure it and he and the people praised God after praying before anything even happened.

We recognize the need for prayer, but have we made it automatic that we react in prayer, fasting, praising, worshipping?

They all rose early in the morning to go out against the great horde and King Jehoshaphat tells them “Believe in the Lord your God and you will be established; believe his prophets and you will succeed.” ESV Then he put his worship team in holy attire and placed them IN FRONT OF his army, telling them to say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” At the very moment the worship team began to sing and praise, God set his ambush and the 3 nations battled each other in confusion. None escaped, they all perished. Judah took the spoil. They didn’t have to lift a finger to fight.

How different would your life be if in every battle you first turned to seek God?

Worship is a show of surrender to His will. It is a show of faith and trust in God. They marched with God in a parade to His will.

Praise is also an outward manifestation of inward surrender. When we pray, no matter what we’re facing, God should be at the forefront of our prayers. Pray for God’s will. Surrender to Him the problem fully. Then praise Him. Simply put is 1 Thess 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of the Lord, Christ Jesus for you.” ESV