“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” ~ II Chronicles 20:17
REFERENCE:
God fights our battles and gives us victories. Jesus defeated satan on the cross of Calvary; thus, all our spiritual battles are against a defeated foe. When the Bible says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood…” some people stop at, “We wrestle not…” and think that we are in a church picnic. Not so! We have the victory over evil forces, but we must go out against them to fight.
Three menacing enemies faced Jehoshaphat; an alliance of nations came to wipe Judah off the map. He set himself to seek the Lord by declaring a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. While at it, God’s Spirit spoke through Jahaziel and charged them to entertain no fear. He assured them that the battle was the Lord’s and that they should position themselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. That was not all; God required something more of them.
“Tomorrow, go out against them” was the next instruction from the Spirit of God. It is easy to miss this point in the narrative. When God told Judah to hold their peace, you would have thought He wanted them to go home, throw a victory party, and jump into their beds at night. God promised Jehoshaphat victory, telling him and the army of Judah to stand still and see God’s salvation. God did not mean that literally; he also said to them, “Go out against them!”
Upon hearing this instruction, Jehoshaphat adopted a battle strategy; they set up a band of worshippers who went before the soldiers, singing as they ‘went out against’ the enemies’ camp. They had no external assurance that this strategy would work against a formidable coalition of nations. Still, they did it nonetheless because God said it. That was faith in God.
Although faith considers as done whatever God says, it must act on it; faith without a matching action is dead. Faith stirs the heart to believe, compels the mouth to declare, and instructs the feet to move. God would do it, but Jehoshaphat needed to confront his fears and march against his enemies. Victory is not gained by sitting; no battle is won by wishing. Knock on doors, make the call, start the project, study a little harder, etc. Wake up and go out against them.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Exodus 14:13-16 and James 2:19-20
PRAYERS:
May the Almighty God encourage your heart to take on the battles assigned to you, knowing that He has gone ahead of you and given you victory. May every step you take towards your goals meet with divine success. May God set an ambush against everything that represents an enemy in your life. As you move, you will see overwhelming victory, in Jesus’ name.
Amen!