More points of wisdom in answer to my prayer regarding tough communication issues and how to triumph in Christ.
The Battle is the Lord’s. The Praise belongs to Him whatever the outcome. The outcome is the Lord’s.
#262 Unlikely Battlefield Strategies 2 Chronicles 20 Part 2
2 Chronicles 20 records a time when Moab came in war against Israel under the reign of King Jehoshaphat. The spirit of the LORD spoke through Jahaziel the Levite: “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat; thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” (Verse 15) We don’t have to ‘win’ the discussion or ‘win’ the outcome we want. There is a spiritual battle behind the scenes. The battlefield is in our mind. He is able to equip us, but not by our power and orchestration of events. “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11
The lessons continue. Jahaziel gives some surprising counsel. “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf…Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.” (Verse 17)
Station yourselves: (Strong’s #3320: to place, so as to stay); Set the intention to persevere.
Stand: Stand for the intention the LORD has inspired in our hearts.
Stand still (King James): We always think we have to DO something. Sometimes we need to stand in faith, and let what comes from faith be the action.
Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf: when we stand in active faith we are open and ready to SEE what deliverance He is working out in answer to our need. “Watch and pray…” Matthew 26:41 Exodus 14:13,14
Go out and face them: We are often no match for the circumstance that looms ahead. But we can go forward to face whatever is before us because we know WHO is with us.
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and so did all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They fell down before the LORD to worship him. (Verse 18) What would our reaction be to such a battle strategy? The instruction is: Just stand there and wait, challenging instructions because they confront our desire to act and be in control. A dire circumstance looms before us. We want to act now and try to arrange for the proper outcome. Instead we are told to do nothing. (Well, actually to stand in faith is doing everything, but it seems like nothing.) If I was Jehoshaphat I would have fallen down on my face too, out of a feeling of impending doom. But he and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship him!
When the Word and leadings of God instruct us to stand in faith and wait and watch, we need to have an immediate worship service in our hearts. Worship is anything thought or song that makes us realize the greatness of our God. When we bow before Him physically or in our hearts we are acknowledging He is Great and Powerful, and we are small and willing to surrender our lives to His wise power.
The Levites then stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a very loud voice. (Verse 19)
When we realize His true power and our true lack thereof, we can confidently praise HIM!
They got up early the next morning. Jehoshaphat announced: “Put your trust in the LORD your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” (Verse) 20 We are established (Strong’s #539: to build up or support, to render firm) by faith in the God who keeps His covenants. We are not strong through our determination, was are strengthened through our determined focus on HIS character and promises. Success comes from trust in HIS word.
The King then consulted with the people and appointed some to sing to the LORD and some to praise Him in the beauty of holiness. They went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving-kindness is everlasting.”
2 Chronicles 20:21 When we face our battles singing to the LORD and praising Him, in awe of His eternal commitment of unfailing love, we are truly ready for the LORD to battle on our behalf. “When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.”
2 Chronicles 20:22 Trust and Praise and the obedience they inspire are the highest forms of spiritual action.
Let us therefore rename every ‘looming circumstance with impossible odds’ as “The valley of Blessing.” 2 Chronicles 20:26
The Battle is the Lord’s. The Praise belongs to Him whatever the outcome. The outcome is the Lord’s.
#262 Unlikely Battlefield Strategies 2 Chronicles 20 Part 2
2 Chronicles 20 records a time when Moab came in war against Israel under the reign of King Jehoshaphat. The spirit of the LORD spoke through Jahaziel the Levite: “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat; thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” (Verse 15) We don’t have to ‘win’ the discussion or ‘win’ the outcome we want. There is a spiritual battle behind the scenes. The battlefield is in our mind. He is able to equip us, but not by our power and orchestration of events. “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11
The lessons continue. Jahaziel gives some surprising counsel. “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf…Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.” (Verse 17)
Station yourselves: (Strong’s #3320: to place, so as to stay); Set the intention to persevere.
Stand: Stand for the intention the LORD has inspired in our hearts.
Stand still (King James): We always think we have to DO something. Sometimes we need to stand in faith, and let what comes from faith be the action.
Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf: when we stand in active faith we are open and ready to SEE what deliverance He is working out in answer to our need. “Watch and pray…” Matthew 26:41 Exodus 14:13,14
Go out and face them: We are often no match for the circumstance that looms ahead. But we can go forward to face whatever is before us because we know WHO is with us.
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and so did all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They fell down before the LORD to worship him. (Verse 18) What would our reaction be to such a battle strategy? The instruction is: Just stand there and wait, challenging instructions because they confront our desire to act and be in control. A dire circumstance looms before us. We want to act now and try to arrange for the proper outcome. Instead we are told to do nothing. (Well, actually to stand in faith is doing everything, but it seems like nothing.) If I was Jehoshaphat I would have fallen down on my face too, out of a feeling of impending doom. But he and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship him!
When the Word and leadings of God instruct us to stand in faith and wait and watch, we need to have an immediate worship service in our hearts. Worship is anything thought or song that makes us realize the greatness of our God. When we bow before Him physically or in our hearts we are acknowledging He is Great and Powerful, and we are small and willing to surrender our lives to His wise power.
The Levites then stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a very loud voice. (Verse 19)
When we realize His true power and our true lack thereof, we can confidently praise HIM!
They got up early the next morning. Jehoshaphat announced: “Put your trust in the LORD your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” (Verse) 20 We are established (Strong’s #539: to build up or support, to render firm) by faith in the God who keeps His covenants. We are not strong through our determination, was are strengthened through our determined focus on HIS character and promises. Success comes from trust in HIS word.
The King then consulted with the people and appointed some to sing to the LORD and some to praise Him in the beauty of holiness. They went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving-kindness is everlasting.”
2 Chronicles 20:21 When we face our battles singing to the LORD and praising Him, in awe of His eternal commitment of unfailing love, we are truly ready for the LORD to battle on our behalf. “When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.”
2 Chronicles 20:22 Trust and Praise and the obedience they inspire are the highest forms of spiritual action.
Let us therefore rename every ‘looming circumstance with impossible odds’ as “The valley of Blessing.” 2 Chronicles 20:26
