Then, it seemed like all at once, several dear, dear friends began writing me emails or calling me on the phone sharing with me impossible situations either they or their friends and/or family were in, asking us to pray. Situations where there are simply no answers, no consolations, no advice nor no way out. These heart-wrenching cries have not only broken my heart, but have given me the "fear of the Lord" and I do not count it lightly that the Lord touched their hearts to share with me their need for prayer.
Question: Has someone ever asked you to pray about something and you said you would and then you didn't?
Answer: We all have, I think.
Realization: May God give us Holy Fear that we never take this lightly, as this is holy ministry unto the Lord.
All that said, I've been doing a lot of praying this week. And during this time, 2 Chronicles 20 has been coming back again, again and again. And again. And again. So much so, I feel like it is a "fire shut up in my bones", like maybe what the Prophet Ezekiel once experienced. So, here goes...this is what the Lord has shown me out of this chapter, and I write this to you, all of you who might be reading this who are hurting, confused, overwhelmed, depressed, angry, sad, offended, broken, isolated, without answers for your situation(s), scared or just plain numb... as a precious piece of the broken bread that Jesus has broken and distributed for all to share in.
Once upon a "real" time, there was a battle about to take place. The rumblings of war could be felt in the hearts of the people of the Land of Israel. The King of Judah, Jehoshaphat, was told that "a great multitude is coming against you". A massive group of enemies who wanted to wipe Israel off the map were about to come upon them and do just that.
So what did King Jehoshaphat do with this overwhelming news? Did he follow in the footsteps of many of his predecessors? No. The Bible tells us "Jehoshaphat FEARED, and SET HIMSELF TO SEEK THE LORD and PROCLAIMED A FAST throughout all Judah." Then it says that "Judah GATHERED TOGETHER to ASK HELP FROM THE LORD"...... to SEEK THE LORD".
What grabs me next, is the prayer he prayed. It APPREHENDS my heart! Read the text... he begins to recount the POWER, the GOODNESS, the FAITHFULNESS of the Almighty God. In His prayer before all the assembly of people, Jehoshaphat begins to PROCLAIM the truths that have been planted in his heart, RECOUNTING all of the mighty workings God did in behalf of Israel in the past. Reminding himself and the people to consider God's faithful track record of answering prayer in impossible situations.
And here's another one.
Now listen to this... he ends his prayer by saying, "For we have no power against the great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You." (read this like 3 times or more before going on to the next sentence!)
If you find yourself (or those who you love) in an impossible situation - let this become your prayer!!
Tell me, especially those of you who are parents, if your child came to you in this manner... what would YOU do? "Daddy, Mommy, there are a group of gang members who have threatened to kill me on the playground tomorrow, I"m so scared, I don't know what to do! I need you to help me!!!" So, what would YOU do? Send them to school and forget they even asked you for help? I think not.
Next, the text tells us that after he prayed and the people were still all together, that the Spirit of the Lord came upon the prophet Jahaziel and spoke to His children. God's heart was moved! God said to the people "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's....you will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you...."
Then what did they do after they received the Living Word? They bowed before the Lord, worshipping Him. Then they stood, praising Him with voices loud and high. THEY BELIEVED AND TRUSTED IN THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD DELIVER.
In obedience to the specific instruction that God gave them through the prophet Jahaziel, they went out, in faith, to the wilderness of Tekoa as the Lord instructed them. God always gives us a battle strategy WHEN WE ASK HIM AND WAIT TO HEAR HIS ANSWER. (I guess that's the key, a lot of times we ask but don't wait to hear the instruction to follow??? I've certainly been guilty of that on several occasions)
As they were on the battle ground, here's where the showdown begins. King Jehoshaphat instructs the people to " BELIEVE IN THE LORD YOUR GOD AND YOU SHALL BE ESTABLISHED..."! And then he appointed those who should SING AND PRAISE the Lord as they went out before the army...
These are BATTLE STRATEGIES GOD SET IN PLACE. Just like when the walls of Jericho came down, through the people obeying God's directives by marching around the city and blowing shofars and shouting - they witnessed the power of God bring down WALLS OF A CITY! (Joshua 6) Did you know that God uses unconventional warfare tactics?????
Now, put on your seatbelts! In verse 22 it says this, and there is NO FONT big enough in my computer to write this so let the Holy Spirit of the Living God BURN it in your hearts.... "NOW WHEN THEY BEGAN TO SING AND TO PRAISE, THE LORD SET AMBUSHES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF AMMON, MOAB, AND MOUNT SEIR, WHO HAD COME AGAINST JUDAH; AND THEY WERE DEFEATED."
When they began to sing and to praise (in belief!!! in trust!!!) GOD SET AMBUSHES!!!
And then what, after the victory??? They returned from the battle WITH JOY, praising GOD.
HE received all the glory, for it is HE who caused them to triumph, not they themselves.
They did NOT need to fight, but TO OBEY THE VOICE OF THE LORD.
Dear friends.... DO YOU NEED GOD TO SET AMBUSHES IN YOUR LIFE??? What impossible situation(s) do you find yourself in that you need El Shaddai to MOVE ON YOUR BEHALF???? Do you find yourself, as Jehoshaphat did, saying to God "We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; NOR DO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON YOU!" ????
Right now, wherever you are, get on your face and seek the Lord's. Get your Bible and soak yourself in 2 Chronicles 20 and let the Holy Spirit of the Creator of the Universe, who sent His only Son to die for you so that you may live, our Abba Father who WANTS to move on your behalf, set ambushes for you. TURN YOUR EYES TO HIM. PRAY. WORSHIP. PRAISE. WAIT. HEAR. OBEY. Even if His answer seems crazy, and everyone else might think your nuts. You are in good company.
"And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel."
Set your eyes on Him, and watch GOD fight for you today.
2 Chronicles 20
