Entering Battle Victoriously Like Jehoshaphat

In 2 Chronicles 20, we read that the Moabites and Ammonites were coming to wage war against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. As soon as he was told of the impending attack, he turned to the Lord for help and proclaimed a fast for all Judah. He told God in verse 12, " We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

The Lord told told the people in verses 15-17 of 2 Chronicles 20,

‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s...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."

God had already given them the victory before the battle began, so as a result, we see in verse 21 that "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.”

Jehoshaphat and the people had faith and confidence in the promised victory so instead of the army leading the charge into battle, the singers led the army into battle, singing & praising the Lord and giving thanks.

Jehoshaphat provides us with an example we can apply in our own lives as we face an upcoming battle or even as we are in the midst of a battle.

First, we need to seek God's help and draw near to him. Jehoshaphat and the people drew near to God in prayer and fasting. In verses 6-9, Jehoshaphat told God that they know he is the one who has the power and might. And they are coming to him for help in their time of distress. Jehoshaphat said, "You will hear us and save us."

Second, we must place our faith and confidence in God's promises that he is the one who fights for us and delivers us from harm. Jehoshaphat told the people of Judah in verse 20, “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.”

Third, we should enter battle with songs of praise. Because Jehoshaphat had faith that God had already given them the victory, he appointed the singers to lead them into battle and give praise of thanks.

People usually celebrate and sing after obtaining victory, but as God’s children, we celebrate and sing before and during a battle because we have already won the battle in Christ!!

As Apostle Paul tells us in ‭1 Corinthians 15:57-58,

"Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you."

We can stand firm and let nothing move us because it is God who fights our battles. But we have to give them over to Him and live victoriously as we rest in His promises...the same promises the He gave Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah:

"Do not be afraid or discouraged... For the battle is not yours, but God’s...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face (the enemy), and the Lord will be with you."
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