Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, had a prosperous reign as king for twenty-five years, and he ruled wisely because he trusted the Lord, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord.

One of Jehoshaphat’s greatest tests can be found in 2nd Chronicles 20 when a “horde” of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites, came against Judah in battle.

Jehoshaphat was a good king, but that doesn’t mean he was not afraid:

“Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”

2 Chronicles 20:3 (ESV)

Jehoshaphat was not, however, paralyzed by fear. His response to fear was prayer and fasting. “There is ‘a great multitude’ on there way to destroy us, we need God’s help!” As the king and leader of Judah, his example led the rest of the people to seek the Lord.

Then Jehoshaphat calls out to the Lord in prayer, reminding Him of all He has done for them in the past. It’s a prayer of faith and expectancy. “If you did all those things for us before, why shouldn’t I trust you again to prove yourself faithful to us?” He lays out their current problem:

“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)

God speaks them through the prophet, Jahaziel:

“…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.”

2 Chronicles 20:15 (ESV)

And

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

2 Chronicles 20:17 (ESV)

Pray. Fast. Seek the Lord. What is He telling you about the “horde” coming your way? This big, ugly, scary thing you are facing, what does God have to say about it? What does He want you to do?

God tells Jehoshaphat, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed. Go out against them. I will be on your side.”

Jehoshaphat responds by bowing down in worship, the band and choir praised the Lord “with a very loud voice.”

This makes me think of the concert a few days ago. After that worship night, I now have a new concept about “shouts of praise.” This now sounds like hundreds and thousands of people yelling and screaming praises to God. It sounds like a wall of joyful noise in worship of the living God. It leaves your voice scratchy the next morning. It makes your ears ring. It is true freedom to let loose in adoration of the Lord, trusting fully in Him to meet your every need. I am choosing faith in God, who has never let me down before, rather than trusting my eyes or even my rational thinking.

The next morning they go out, Jehoshaphat addresses his people, telling them to “believe in the Lord your God,” (verse 20) and he appoints “those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army” (verse 21).

Then God’s supernatural power is made manifest:

“And 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, so that they were routed.” 2 Chronicles 20:22 (ESV)

God’s response to their obedience and praise was immediate. The army is ambushed and they proceed to destroy one another. None had escaped.

It took three days to gather up the spoils. They named the valley afterwards Beracah, which means blessing. Talk about using what the enemy intended for evil to bring about good!

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

After doing what God tells you to do, as strange or counterintuitive it may seem, praise the Lord.

The praise of the Lord brings about the blessing of the Lord. Praising the Lord in the presence of the enemy “horde” is an act of faith. It activates God’s power in the spiritual realm to turn the tide against the enemy.

The enemy is closing in for the kill, but your praise sends his army into confusion leading to your victory. That is the Lord’s blessing over your life.

– Jason