This past Resurrection Sunday a few months ago was a time for all of us to be reminded of the awesome victory our Lord has over sin and death. Indeed, because He lives we live now and into eternity! His Kingdom has indeed come and it will come in a greater reality then than we know now. The challenging part is our living between the “now” and “that which is to come”. Life is full of challenges and difficulties, so what are we to do?
Let’s review the truths King Jehoshaphat and Judah discovered. It was told to the King that a great multitude was coming against him from Edom. Great danger faced the King and he was afraid. Have you ever faced a great enemy? Of course you have.
What did the King do? He called an assembly of the people and “they came to seek the LORD”. Of course, that is exactly what we should do as well! Notice he did not try to come up with a plan himself, but he sought the LORD. This step acknowledges the ability of Yahweh. Verse 6, “You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”
Friends this step is critical and verse 9, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and You will hear and save.”
So Yahweh sends a prophet and he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you,‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established: believe His prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the to the LORD and praise Him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
When they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah. After the great victory provided by Yahweh they gathered a second time to praise and worship. Then they returned to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.
They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the LORD. And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.
Shalom.
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