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... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "
Here, king Jehoshaphat was facing real, tangible threats from a big army coming to attack. Did he flee? Did he immediately retaliate? No, he called upon the LORD! After doing that God filled the king and his army with so much encouragement and faith they were able to stand firm and allow the LORD to do battle. This was the LORD's battle and the people were reminded of this before stepping into it.
I get discouraged a lot. I don't know what it is that so easily steals my joy. Is it a lack of faith? Is it maturity? Reflecting on this passage leads me to realize that I'm making it out to be all about me. God is working on my heart and mind to train me to see that attacks on me aren't really on me. An army's soldier isn't the one our enemy is trying to attack, it's what's driving the army, the commander and king. So I need to stand firm in my position to fight but understand that it's ultimately God's battle. He is victorious and not us.
Heavenly Father, I lack in so many areas. Forgive me of making it all about me. Strengthen Your servant to put on Your armor so that the attacks are deflected and extinguished. The enemy will try to turn our thoughts and actions against each other instead of allowing You to fight the real opponent, the devil and his army. I pray that You remind all of Your children to take a stand daily to remember this critical fact. I also pray over every single marriage and family, to unite them in the good fight. I thank You, my loving God and King! Amen!
2 Chronicles 20:15,17
Here, king Jehoshaphat was facing real, tangible threats from a big army coming to attack. Did he flee? Did he immediately retaliate? No, he called upon the LORD! After doing that God filled the king and his army with so much encouragement and faith they were able to stand firm and allow the LORD to do battle. This was the LORD's battle and the people were reminded of this before stepping into it.
I get discouraged a lot. I don't know what it is that so easily steals my joy. Is it a lack of faith? Is it maturity? Reflecting on this passage leads me to realize that I'm making it out to be all about me. God is working on my heart and mind to train me to see that attacks on me aren't really on me. An army's soldier isn't the one our enemy is trying to attack, it's what's driving the army, the commander and king. So I need to stand firm in my position to fight but understand that it's ultimately God's battle. He is victorious and not us.
Heavenly Father, I lack in so many areas. Forgive me of making it all about me. Strengthen Your servant to put on Your armor so that the attacks are deflected and extinguished. The enemy will try to turn our thoughts and actions against each other instead of allowing You to fight the real opponent, the devil and his army. I pray that You remind all of Your children to take a stand daily to remember this critical fact. I also pray over every single marriage and family, to unite them in the good fight. I thank You, my loving God and King! Amen!
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