The vast army was coming against Jehoshaphat – they were already at En Gedi. I was in Jericho as I read the words – maybe twenty miles from En Gedi. Twenty miles would not be far enough away for me if an army was there and ready to get me! I felt panicked for them as I imagined myself as part of Jehoshaphat’s army.

The scripture made me think about my own life. Enemies are often much closer. The Word says we wrestle not against flesh and blood; but the enemy certainly works through people on occasion.

Jehoshaphat immediately proclaims a fast. I love this story because it is one in which the people sought God’s face and His help. It is such a story of victory all the way through as they did it His way. Jehoshaphat praises God for all He has done for the people. He knows that whatever is about to happen with this oncoming army that he is standing in this temple – the one that bears His name. Jehoshaphat is coming and crying out to Him, knowing that He will hear them and save them. When God had given the Israelites the land, He had kept them from invading Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir who are now coming to take the land the Lord had given. Jehoshaphat admits their weakness and need for Him.

Jehoshaphat could do what I sometimes do – he could run or he could fight back; but he is choosing to do what is right. First, he chose to seek the Lord in the midst of expedient need. Second, he is reminding God of the gift He gave them – their inheritance that was promised to them. Third, he acknowledges his weakness – that he does not know what to do. Their eyes are upon Him who is able to do all things; Him who is their Deliverer; Him who will do for us what He did for Jehoshaphat…and watch what happens.

All of them stood before God – the men, their wives and their children. In the midst of a vast army coming to get them, they stood there before the Lord. Can you see them?

The Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men to give the Word of the Lord to Jehoshaphat and all the others…

If you are in God’s will, if you are doing all He is asking you to do, you, too, have a vast army coming to get you. What are you going to do about that? Has the Spirit of the Lord come upon someone close to you giving you the Word of the Lord? What is He saying to you?

…the Lord said to Jehoshaphat – THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S. Did you hear that? Let me say it again…THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S. Are you facing a battle today? THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S…okay?

God said, “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you!” He said, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged!”

Do you know that song, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”? Maybe that is a good one to sing inside your head as you are standing firm. If you don’t know it…make one up – all you need are these 6 words…the battle belongs to the Lord.

Go out to face your enemies tomorrow…and the next day…and the next…and the next…and the Lord will be with you! He’s not going anywhere. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and He will never forsake you!

Jehoshaphat bowed his face to the ground…all the people fell down….they fell down…fell down in worship. (I have to confess, I’m trying not to remind them – your enemies are twenty miles down the road and getting closer by the minute!) Then, some stood up and praised God with a VERY loud voice.

Early the next morning, they left for Tekoa. Just as they were about to set out, Jehoshaphat gave them a reminder like we so often need. He reminded them to have faith in the Lord and they would be upheld, to have faith in the prophets and they would be successful. He reminded them that THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD!

Jehoshaphat consulted the people – I love his servant leadership. He appointed men to sing to the Lord as they marched, to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they led the army…the worshippers led…didn’t they do that as the Israelites traveled through the desert? Are you doing that?

“Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever.”

And, listen to this…as they began to sing and praise…the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading them and defeated them. He did what He said He was going to do…the Lord defeated them! How? The men from Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir and they destroyed one another!

Picture this with me - Jehoshaphat and his men came to the place that overlooks the desert, exactly where God told them they would be, and looked down at the vast army to see their enemies that were close at hand…and what did they see?…”only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.” Don’t you just want to praise the Lord with them?

Jehoshaphat and his men went out to get the plunder and there was so much there, so many spoils, that it took them three days to collect from the battle the Lord fought for them! Will you let the Lord fight His battle in your life today? Will you worship Him, let Him fight the battle and collect the plunder?

After they collected the plunder, they went to the Valley of Beracah, the valley named blessing, where they continued praising the Lord. Like the leper that returned to thank Jesus for his healing, the men of Judah did not forget all that He had done for them for “the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.”

How has God given you cause to rejoice over your enemy today? Pick up your harp and lute and trumpet with the people of Judah and rejoice!

And, I love this…”The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.” There’s the testimony, huh – first, the test and then the testimony. “And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given them REST on every side.

Do you need some rest on every side? Will you let Him give it to you instead of trying to fight the battle yourself?