I've been using YouVersion reading plan for daily readings that go through the entire Bible in a year. This morning, it took almost an hour to get through 2 Chronicles 20 - so much of this chapter spoke to me!
2 Chronicles 20:1-3 sets the stage:
1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
With all the people of the nation gathered around, the king's prayer culminates with these words:
12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.
Now that's an interesting response to a dire threat! Jehoshaphat admits his weakness and his lack of knowing what to do in face of his adversaries. He gives the problem to the Lord. He doesn't fret or panic, or draft all the young men in the country into the military, or engage all his resources to address the enemy. He gives the problem to the Lord, and waits.
This really got me thinking: In the face of my challenges, how do I respond? Do I work try harder, putting more hours and everything I have into trying to address the challenges? Do I try different things? Or, do I set my eyes on the Lord to see what He will do? Why is it so uncommon a response to set our eyes on the Lord, and just wait for Him to act? Do I believe He is interested? cares? has a plan? Do I put my trust in Him, or the things I can see?
Back to the story - The Lord responds to Jehoshaphat through a prophet, re-assuring the king and giving the strategy:
15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ "
Go face the enemy, and the Lord will be with you. This makes sense - Jehoshaphat is leading God's people in following God's plan for them.
What about me? Am I in the right position for the Lord to fight on my behalf? Will He fight my fight, or do I need to be positioned to fight His fight, and then let Him fight it? Are the things I’m striving and fighting for things that matter to God? Am I working on God’s plan, or my own?
If it’s my own, not aligned with God’s plan, why would I expect the God who created everything that exists to cater to my whims and desires, to address my selfish issues?
The battle strategy is very unorthodox militarily:
21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
The conclusion is a great victory for Jehoshaphat:
22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.
If I am where God wants me to be, doing what He has given me to do, and trouble arises, can I reasonably expect that God will intervene? As I set my eyes on Him in face of trouble, will He give the plan and a miracle solution?
I do believe that God's work doesn't just happen in the context of church. It also happens as His people do what He has given us to do in the marketplace. The challenge, at least for me, is staying focused on the work of His kingdom, and not that of mine.
