Thurs.’s Devo - The Lord’s Battle

Read: 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37; Romans 10:;14-11:12; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 20:4-6 Jehoshaphat had allied with Ahab in his battle against the Syrians and when he got home God sent his messenger Hanani to rebuke him. He asked him why he went to help wicked Ahab give his son to love Ahab’s daughter. God was very angry with him but He would have mercy because he had removed the Asherah poles and committed himself to seek God. *** Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem but traveled throughout his kingdom encouraging the people to return to the Lord. He appointed honest judges telling them to fear God and not pervert justice or take bribes. He appointed the Levites and priests to help in judging the cases because they knew God’s laws. *** The armies of Moab, Ammon and some Menuites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and proclaimed a fast in Judah. People from the towns went to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help. Jehoshaphat stood before the people and prayed. He reminded God of how he chose them and what his word said about what he would do if they humbled themselves and faced the Temple and prayed. They asked the Lord to help them because he was their only hope. *** The Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there named Jahaziel. He prophesied and told the people not to be afraid because this battle was not theirs, but God’s. All they had to do was to take their positions and stand still and watch God fight for them. The victory would be his alone. *** Early the next morning the army of Judah went out to meet the armies of their enemies. Their instruction from God was to show up, stand and believe what God had said through his prophets. Jehoshaphat appointed singers to walk ahead of the army singing “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” *** The moment they began singing, the armies of Moab, Ammon began fighting the Menuites. They killed them all then started attacking each other. By the time Judah’ army had arrived at the lookout point, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground. Not one single enemy had escaped. All Jehoshaphat’s army had to do was to pick up the plunder which was much. It took them three days to collect it. Then they gathered the fourth day and praised and thanked the Lord. They marched home to music and praise. All the surrounding kingdoms heard of their great victory and what God had done for them and none would come against them. *** Jehoshaphat reigned 25 years and was a good king who sought the Lord even though he didn’t remove all the pagan shrines. In the end of his life he made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel who was very wicked. They went into partnership making a fleet of trading ships. God sent Eliezer to prophecy that God would destroy his ships since he allied with Ahaziah. The endeavor was a disaster and the ships never sailed. *** In Romans. Paul explained that the Good News would not spread if it didn’t have people sent by God to tell others. Paul gave them the words of prophets who had seen the day the Gentiles would believe and the Jews would not. All through history, God has always had a remnant of his chosen people the Jews who believed in God when it wasn’t popular to do so. God hardened the hearts of the rest of his people and closed their ears so they couldn’t comprehend his great gift of grace. God will use the Gentiles to make the Jews jealous and return to their God and the whole earth will be blessed when this happens. *** Are we on the cusp of this great awakening of the Jews? I believe we are. We are living in exciting times when the wicked are being caught in their own traps and the things they planned for us are falling on them. God is fighting for us, our job is to rejoice and show up for the battle. God will fight it for us. *** Lord, thank you for your promises. Thank you for equipping us with your Word, your Spirit and your body of believers. Thank you for Your Army. We stand singing in expectation of a great victory!