“The Battle Is Not Yours, But God’s”

After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Chronicles 20:1

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. 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.’”

Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

2 Chronicles 20:15-22

When we are in trouble, we pray a lot. We also praise God.

The Israelites also praised God in the middle of their dangerous challenge. Their battle involved a large group of warrior who had gathered to fight them. After humbly asking God for help, King Jehoshaphat appointed a choir to march out into battle in front of the Israelite army. The worshippers praised the Lord, and they praised His mercy.

Praising God in the midst of a challenge may mean overriding our natural instincts. We tend toward self-protection, strategizing, and worry. However, worshipping can guard our hearts against troubling thoughts and self-reliance. The Israelites learned that the battle was not theirs, but God’s. The same is true of us.

No matter what is in front of us, God is always behind us.

Our Daily Bread – October 6, 2013