Week 2 - Listen & Learn | Day 13

SCRIPTURE - 2 CHRONICLES 20:1-6; 12; 15-17

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). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 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…

"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."

“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. 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. 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.” 

OBSERVATION

In this passage, King Jehoshaphat found himself facing the battle of his life. With multiple armies closing in on the nation of Judah, the odds were stacked against him. But instead of strategizing, looking for a solution, or trusting his own strength, he turned to God. He didn’t try to appear strong or capable on his own. He openly admitted that he didn’t know what to do and that he needed God. King Jehoshaphat called the people to fast and pray. Together, they directed their attention away from their enemies and toward the Lord. They acknowledged that even though they didn’t have power over their situation, God did. And it was in this posture of humility and dependence that God spoke to them. God told them that they wouldn’t fight this battle, but He would. He said they had no reason to be afraid and no reason to be discouraged. Even though their situation seemed impossible, a single word from God was enough to change everything. Later in the story, the Lord won a decisive victory for the people of Judah. When we choose to listen to God instead of relying on our own strength, He can do more than we ever could on our own. 

APPLICATION

King Jehoshaphat knew that the battle he was facing required a solution from God, not himself. Listening to God begins with admitting that we need His strength to win the battles in our lives. When the people of Judah waited for a word from the Lord, they made room for Him to reveal His plan. In these past couple of weeks, we’ve been fasting for the same reason–so we can hear His voice and rely on His strength instead of our own. When we come to God in humility and fix our attention on Him, He comforts us, He strengthens us, and He fights our battles for us. 

What are you facing right now that you need God to speak into? Where have you been relying on your own strength to fight your battles? Do you turn to your plans first, or do you turn to God? Maybe there’s a decision you’re unsure how to make, or a conflict in your family that you don’t know how to solve. Whatever battle you’re up against, remember that you’re not fighting it alone. The solution is not to think harder or work harder. It is to pray. Bring what you are facing to God, listen for His voice, and trust that He’s fighting for you.

PRAYER

Today, bring whatever battle you’re facing to God in prayer. In the places where you don’t know what to do, admit your need for His strength and ask Him to fight for you. Pray that He would speak clearly and that His word would change everything. Give Him praise in advance for the victory that He’s going to bring. 

God, thank you that when I turn to you, you fight my battles for me. Help me come to you first instead of relying on my own plans or my own strength. Speak to me and give me direction in the places where I don’t know what to do. I trust that you can win the battles I could never win on my own. Amen.

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