O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help. [2 Chronicles 20:12 (NLT)]
Yosemite Sam, the cartoon arch enemy of Bugs Bunny, used to exclaim “Jumpin’ Jehosophat!” I was an adult before learning that Jehosophat was the fourth king of the southern kingdom of Judah. It’s ironic that the king said to be jumping in Sam’s pseudo-swear is best known for standing still in 2 Chronicles!
Judah had been invaded by the armies of Moab, Ammon, and some of the Meunites. Surprised by the invasion and terrified of their powerful enemies, they turned to God. After ordering a nationwide fast, Jehoshaphat called the people to prayer in the Temple courtyard. Acknowledging God’s power and might, his prayer recalled God’s covenant relationship with His chosen people, admitted they were powerless against such foes, and asked for the nation’s deliverance. A Levite named Jahaziel relayed the Lord’s response. Telling the people not to be afraid, God assured them the battle was His, not theirs, and the battle would be won without any of them lifting a sword. They were to take their battle positions, stand still, and watch the Lord’s victory. Worship and praise followed this amazing pronouncement.
Nevertheless, as enthusiastic as Judah was that day, I wonder how confident they were the following morning when they marched into battle. Would they become easy targets as their army, clearly outnumbered, stood unmoving in front of their formidable foes? Perhaps Jehoshaphat heard some grumbling about this perplexing battle strategy because he stopped and reassured the men, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
Jehoshaphat appointed a chorus to walk ahead of the army and sing praises to the Lord: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” As the choir’s voices rose, the Lord caused the armies of Moab and Ammon to turn against the Meunites, after which they attacked one another. By the time Judah’s army arrived, not one of their enemies had survived the melee; all they had to do was pick up the spoils of war. As God promised, the enemy was defeated without Judah lifting a sword.
While we’re not likely to encounter an enemy army, we do encounter difficulties, temptations, and challenges every day. In essence, Jehoshaphat’s prayer was a simple one: “We are powerless, Lord—you must fight for us!” Are we as willing to admit our weakness and turn to God at the outset of trouble or do we wait until we’re in the midst of a losing battle before calling on Him?
The hardest part, however, comes in trusting God’s plan. Jehoshaphat wasn’t the only one to be given an unconventional battle strategy by the Lord—God told Joshua to circle a fortified city for seven days, Gideon to severely limit his army, Amaziah to dismiss the trained mercenaries he’d hired, and David to wait for a sound in the trees before attacking. Yet, it was by trusting God’s inexplicable plan that all were victorious. Let’s face it, God’s way is often contrary to what we’d normally expect—turn the other cheek, love your enemies, bless those that curse you, forgive seventy times seven, and find strength in our weakness. Nevertheless, God’s way must be our way!
Jehoshaphat and his army trusted so much in God’s plan that they thanked Him for victory before the battle began. Their praise came before their victory, not because they thought God would keep his promise but because they knew He would! The previous day, the moment God said the battle was His, the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites were vanquished; they just didn’t know it then! Let us march into our daily battles as did the Judeans—trusting God and singing, “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”
Devotions of the Heart 