MIGHTY WARRIOR
Part 7
STRONGHOLD
“The Lord is a Refuge for the oppressed, a Stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Ps. 9:9-10

The fourth king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, was deeply committed to the ways of the Lord. He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles from Judah. Or most of them anyway. It says, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal. He sought his father’s God and obeyed his commands instead of following the evil practices of the kingdom of Israel.” 2 Chron. 17:3-4

Jehoshaphat tore down the alters and shrines to the false gods the people of Judah worshiped and sent out teachers to all the land to instruct the people how to follow the law of God, once again. However, this king was a bit wishy washy and weak. He made an alliance with the wicked king of Israel. (the northern kingdom) Why he did this when Ahab was completely and totally against God, I’m not sure. Maybe he thought through this alliance, which included marrying his son to the daughter of Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, might result in unity once again to the broken countries of Judah and Israel. Jehoshaphat’s son fell under the influence of the evil couple and led Judah into idol worship after Jehoshaphat was gone.

God did rebuke Jehoshaphat through the prophet Jehu, “Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of what you have done, the Lord is very angry with you. Even so, there is some good in you because you have committed yourself to seeking God.” 2 Chron. 19:2-3 In other words his heart was good, he just had some bad judgment.

However Jehoshaphat seemed to learn a lesson, since he sent out judges and priests throughout the land to warn and keep the people obeying the Lord. God forgave Jehoshaphat and continued to bless him and guide him during his reign.

One day messengers came to King Jehoshaphat and said, “The vast armies of the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites are coming against you, they are almost here!” Those pesky Ites again!

Jehoshaphat was terrified. However it seems that Jehoshaphat had grown some back bone, since he didn’t run, he didn’t hide, he didn’t turn to the evil king to the north for help. No he begged the Lord for guidance. And he ordered everyone in Judah to fast and pray. People from all over the country went to Jerusalem for a big worship service and to seek the help of the Lord.

Jehoshaphat stood up before the community of Judah in the courtyard at the Temple of the Lord and prayed to the God of his ancestors. He praised his Lord and petitioned Him for help. This is part of what he said, “We can cry out to You to save us, and You will hear us and rescue us. We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help.”

In our weakness He is strong. Jehoshaphat has learned his lesson, this time he seeks the Lord first. This time he wants to do it God’s way instead of his own way. We can’t do this on our own, God, this is way beyond our strength. We need you.

There happened to be a man standing in the crowd with his wife and little ones who was a Levite. The Spirit came upon him, because the Spirit didn’t live in believers as He does now, and he cried out,

“Listen King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by the mighty army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march out against them. Take our positions: then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low before the Lord with his face on the ground and worshiped the Lord, and all the people did the same. And he praised his God.

The next morning the army of Judah went into the wilderness of Tekoa. The vast army of Ites was marching towards them. Once again, God’s people going against all odds, standing before a huge army.

Jehoshaphat said to his men, “Believe in the Lord your God and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in His prophets (His word) and you will succeed.”

Now Jehoshaphat doesn’t know what God will do, will he have to fight, will men lose their lives this day, will God give them the victory? How can he give God praise, when he doesn’t know the outcome? Trust my friends, pure, simple, not-so-easy trust. Trusting before we see the outcome that God’s outcome is always best.

Then the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army. So picture this, thousands of soldiers bristling with spears and swords, marching across the dry wilderness towards a mighty enemy, with soldiers going before them, singing, “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!”

At the VERY moment the singers began to sing and give praise to God, the enemy armies started fighting against themselves! AMAZING!

“The Lord,” it says, “caused them to start fighting among themselves.” The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from mount Seir and killed EVERY ONE of them. Then they attacked each other.

God works in mysterious ways. Does He not?

So when Jehoshaphat’s army arrived at a vista point where they could look out over the wilderness, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Really! That’s what it says! Dead bodies as far as they could see! Not a single enemy soldier escaped. They were all, thousands and thousands of men, all dead! Gone! Annihilated!

And Jehoshaphat and his men didn’t even have to lift a sword. Nothing left for them to do except gather the plunder. And celebrate with music and praises to their God. Who had delivered them in a mighty way.

Has God ever delivered you in a mighty way?
From 2 Chronicles 20

FIRST RESPONSE

When I am hit head on with troubles, like a mighty storm crashing into my life, making waves tower over my head, what is my first response? Or if small things, niggling problems, pile up one on top of each other until the whole pile is about to tumble, what do I do first?

Do I go on my own wisdom, rushing headlong into what seems like a solution? More than likely. Do I try to make it on my own? Oh yes often, until I fall. Or do I fall on my knees before my God and seek His help and guidance before anything else?

When tragedy strikes, when anxiety hits, when fear takes over, when problems surround me, when trials besiege me, my first response should be to run to my Lord. He is my Fortress in time of war. When my enemies march against me, I need to hide under the shelter of His wings. He is my Refuge, my Rock, my High Tower. On Him I should stand. Against His side I should lean. Under His wings I should hide.

Jesus tells me, “The battle belongs to Me. I will fight for you, if you will give it to Me.”

Sometimes we have to actually fight our enemies. Like Joshua, who many times had to go into battle, but God fights for us with all His mighty strength. And God always has the victory!

Sometimes He tells us to stand firm only. Hold your ground. Don’t give up ground gained. No retreat, no surrender! “Stand your ground, the battle is Mine.”

Sometimes He wants us to march, like Jehoshaphat, to go out and face the enemy, in full battle armor. And to sing. Sing and give praise and thanksgiving to our God.

Doti

Yesterday Doti, my 12 year old English Setter, was not doing well. She has acute arthritis and was in pain and barely able to walk. She hardly moved all day and by evening would not eat or drink. I was forced to go walking by myself. It was heart breaking not to have my partner and buddy by my side. I marched all right, but the scenery was blurred with my tears. I cried out to God, asking for His help, His touch of healing on my companion.

“Sing.” Came God’s whisper.

Sing! Singing was about the last thing I felt like doing. But sing I did. My voice started out shaky and weak, but soon it was soaring into the blue sky with praises for my Savior and Lord. My spirits soared with it and soon the gorgeous sunny day became a brighter place.

Not only did I petition God for my hurting puppy, but I was able to surrender her to Him. I said, “I trust You in this. You will fight the battle and You will win. Your way.”

As soon as Jehoshaphat’s men began to sing, the Lord moved. He caused their enemies to turn against each other! He wiped them out.

Now I’m not saying it will be easy, or pain free, but I believe when we give a problem to God and then praise Him and thank Him and even sing, He will work.

I’m not saying this is a magic formula, but when we praise Him and thank Him in something and even for something and lay it in His hands, telling Him we trust Him with this thing, we completely surrender our will to His. He is free to work His way.

I’m not saying that His way may not be filled with pain for a time or very hard, but it will be the right way. It is always for the best and for our good.

God fights our battles, but we first must give that battle to Him. God will eliminate our enemies, but we first must surrender our will to His. Then God will work in our lives and His way is always the best way.

He is my High Tower of safety where I run in trouble. My Stronghold where I can hunker down in a siege. A Mighty Warrior is my God, He fights my battles and He always wins.

So sing, my friend! March out against your enemies with praise on your lips and a song in your heart.

“Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!”

“Praise the Lord who is my Rock! He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. He is my loving Ally and my Fortress. My High Tower of safety, my Rescuer. He is my Shield and I take refuge in Him.” Ps. 144:1-2 NLT