Messengers told Jehoshaphat, “A large army from Edom east of the Dead Sea has invaded our country.” Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the Lord what to do. 2 Chronicles 20:2-3
After years of peace, King Jehoshaphat was simultaneously besieged by three armies. Jehoshaphat was not a perfect king, but a good king in many ways. But even valiant kings can become unsettled and fearful, especially when surrounded by three different “ites”: Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunites. In our world, there are all kinds of different ‘ites” to throw our lives off kilter and produce fear. World events, relationships, illness, finances, and many other things constantly play a role in the stability of our lives. Jehoshaphat leaves us with a beautiful example to follow. In his time of crisis, he turned to God. He called the people together and instituted a fast. Then they traveled to the temple in Jerusalem to pray. (2 Chron 20:3-5). Christians do not need to go to the temple to pray. Our journey is much shorter. It is only as long as the length of your calf. That is the distance from the floor to your knees.
In King Jehoshaphat’s prayer (2 Chron 20: -12), he gets to the heart of the matter. He honestly and openly confesses that he does not know what to do. “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Is there any more beautiful way to bring ourselves to the foot of the cross than with this simple prayer that, more often than not, describes our reality? When we don’t know what to do, He does. When we are powerless, He is all-powerful. The world offers many solutions to our problems, but Jehoshaphat turned to the only source that can give us what we need. And that source is God alone.
Whatever we are facing can feel like a vast army. It can feel like every “ite” known to man is against us. We can be taking fire from all sides and feel like we are losing the battle. But when God enters the picture, the odds change. The battle is His, and no one can withstand the power and might of His hand. But like Jehoshaphat, we must turn the fight over to Him through prayer. Our challenges in life can bring us into a closer relationship with God. Our lives can be transformed as our faith and trust in Him grows. Each “ite” that the Lord knocks down on our behalf is another layer to our testimony to share with others. Let the words of the Lord to Jehoshaphat bring peace and comfort to our “ite” filled lives. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s……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 them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you (2 Chron 20:15,17). Take your position in prayer, do not be afraid or discouraged, and know that the Lord is with you, and the battle belongs to Him. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.
The picture is of prayer at the Jerusalem Temple’s western wall and was taken during my trip to Israel in March 2022.