A Lesson From Jehoshaphat

As children growing up we usually have a high regard for some superhero that saves the world time and again or maybe we just admire a person that really took a part in our lives and helped us grow, mature and get started out in life. It was that way when we were young, it is that way with our children now. If we take a look in the Bible we can find many people that lived a life of faithfulness and dedication to the Lord.

Many times they were people that had problems and made mistakes just like the rest of us; but one thing always remained in them…their faithfulness and dedication to God. Let’s take a look at one of these people and start thinking about how we could bring ourselves closer to God and start to dedicate our lives in the service of the King.

"After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

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, O 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 with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 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. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value - more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies." 2 Chronicles 1-3, 12-18, 22-28

Again Israel was about to be destroyed, but as we saw, the faithfulness of their king and the mercy of the Lord brought them through…unfortunately I did not have enough room to include the whole passage, but the lesson in clear to any that have an open heart to the voice of the Lord: it does not matter what kind of hardship you are going through, it does not matter if it seems that you are about to be destroyed. Don’t you see that God is going to take care of you and pull you through no matter what the hardship?

He will never allow in your life something that is above your power! Do you not see that the Lord has set things up so that you will have a miraculous salvation? All that is needed is for you to give yourself to the Lord and trust in Him, obey Him; God will do the rest, God has the victory for you waiting, but will you accept it?