THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S
2 Chron. 20:2-25
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. Thank you for tuning in. God loves you and has a special plan for your life! Let’s listen to a passage of the Bible that speaks to us in the midst of our Coronavirus crisis:
B. TEXT
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 [at En Gedi]. 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people…came from every town in Judah to seek him. 5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly…at the Temple of the Lord…and said: “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 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.” 13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah…as he stood in the assembly. 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.’” 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.” 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…they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; 25There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 2 Chron. 20:2-5; 12-15; 17; 21-22; 24-25.
C. THESIS
1. This morning we're going to look at how a man was able to include God in his crisis and connect with God in such a way that his problem was taken on by God.
2. We need that kind of help now as we battle with Coronavirus. But we’ll find “The Battle is the Lord’s!”
I. WHEN CRISIS HITS THE BELIEVER
A. A GOOD KING ATTACKED
1. Jehoshaphat was a good man, a godly King. He was leading his nation toward God. Through him many people were hearing about God. But the Bible tells us that God “sends His rain on the just and on the unjust” Mt. 5:45. Everyone has troubles.
2. A vast Army invaded his nation. The Land Trembled. There was terror on every face. This invasion meant death, siege, starvation, slavery, loss of everything. His people knew this was too big for them!
3. There’s times when God allows us to experience trouble. Humans think we don’t need God, that we’re masters of our environment. Then God allows a Coronavirus and we get a new perspective!
4. It was a dark hour for Jehoshaphat. It looked bleak. Are you facing a hard time now? Watch what happens next.
B. FLUCTUATING FAITH
1. Although the Bible doesn't say it, I believe Jehoshaphat wrestled with what to do next.
2.HOW’S EVERYONE ELSE FACING THIS TROUBLE? LET’S DO WHAT THEY’RE DOING! But Jehoshaphat knew that wasn’t going to cut it. He sensed he needed to look UP, not sideways.
3. What do you do when disaster hits? Panic? Do what others are doing? Go into depression? Try to solve your problems by natural means? Sometimes that won’t work!
4. JEHOSHAPHAT DECIDED TO PUT HIS COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD! He called a prayer meeting! He asked everyone to fast their food. Have you thought of this approach to facing Coronavirus? Maybe it’s time we tried something different.
5. From a practical sense, his actions appeared silly. They had nothing to do with invasion, but they did reach out to God.
6. ILLUS. A few years ago, everybody sang "I Went to the Enemy's Camp." The end of the song says, "He's under my feet, Satan is under my feet." There was a three-year-old girl in a church named Taylor. One day someone asked her, "Taylor, where does Jesus live?" She replied "In heaven." The person thought it would be cute to ask her where Satan lived. Without missing a beat, Taylor said, "Under my feet!" Many Christians need to ‘get that!’
7. Jehoshaphat had to consider how big his God was. HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?
8. Maybe you need to face your problems with a spiritual solution -- a Prayer Meeting!
1). Have you lost your job? Pray!
2). Are you in feeling bad? Pray!
3). Are you depressed? Pray!
4). Are you unsure what to do? Pray!
II. JEHOSH.’S FAITH CONNECTED TO GOD
Notice the seven ways Jehoshaphat’s faith connected with God:
A. HE PRAYED WITH FAITH
1. Fear and faith are opposites. Jehoshaphat took his eyes off his problems and put them on the Almighty God, who Rules heaven and earth!
2. He acknowledged God’s power; "O Lord, God….YOU rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in YOUR hand and no one can withstand YOU" Vs. 6.
3. Hebrews 11:6 says God is "a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him!" There ARE BENEFITS to serving God!
4. Dwight L. Moody's favorite verse was Isaiah 12:2; "I will trust and not be afraid." He used to say: "You can travel first class or second-class to heaven. Second class is, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee,” Psalm 56:3. First class is, "I will trust and not be afraid." That’s the better way. Why not travel first-class?
B. JEHOSH. RECALLED GOD’S PAST ACTIONS He remembered how God had helped his nation before.
1. The same God who took care of you last year, is going to take care of you this year! "Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today, and forever."
2. God hasn't changed -- He's still the living, all-knowing God. What He did for someone else, He'll do for you!
C. REMINDED GOD OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP
1. Verses 6 & 7, "Our God," "God of our Fathers."
2. God is our Father because of Creation; He created us. He feels a responsibility for us because He brought us into the world.
3. The Lord Jesus told us, when we pray, to say, “Our Father." If we have faith in Jesus, we’re adopted into God's family and counted as His own dear children. He’s happy when you come to Him in prayer!
D. STOOD UPON THE PROMISES OF GOD
1. Vs. 9. Quoted a promise made to Solomon. When God makes a promise, He'll fulfill it. "I am watching over My Word to perform it."
2. God's Word is God's Promise. God will accomplish what He said He would. His promises are the foundation we stand on when we pray.
E. HE ACKNOWLEDGED HIS INABILITY
1. Verse 12, "We have no power..." God wants us to admit we can’t do it. Why? Because He’s God and we’re not. He doesn’t need to know it; WE need to know it. The we will know where to find the answers.
2. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
F. HIS PRAYER WAS SINCERE
1. Three ministers stood on a sidewalk discussing what the best positions for praying, while a Power Co. man worked on a powerline above them.
2. "Kneeling is definitely best," claimed one. "No," another contended. "I get the best results standing with my hands raised." "You're both wrong," the third argued. "The most effective prayer position is lying on the floor face down."
3. The Power Co. man couldn't contain himself any longer. "Hey, guys," he interrupted, "the best praying I ever did was hanging upside down on a powerline!"
G. JEHOSHAPHAT EXPECTED GOD TO ANSWER
1. Verse 12, "Our eyes are upon You," Vs. 13, "Judah stood."
2. After they prayed they waited for God to answer.
3. ILLUS: GOD ONLY A SQUEAL AWAY.
a. Rod Cooper says, “We raised pigs. We raised about a thousand pigs a year. In one field we had two or three hundred little oinkers running around. Every day, at four in the morning, as I’d walk into the field to feed those guys, they’d scatter.
b. Once a little pig came up and began to chew on my boot, so I picked him up and began to pet him. Soon he wanted down. I said, "No, I’ll let you down when I’m ready."
c. At that moment, he let out a squeal such as I had never heard. In about two seconds, thirty mama pigs weighing five to six hundred pounds each were headed my way.
d. I put him down and headed for the fence. I barely made it over, and all the mama pigs were snorting and walking back and forth, daring me to come back over and bother one of their kids.
e. I realized that the little piglet hadn’t been intimidated. He was totally in control of the situation. Why? Because he was one squeal away from rescue.
f. I don’t want to sound disrespectful, but we’re in the same way, “GOD IS ONLY ONE SQUEAL AWAY!”
III. THE OUTCOME
A. GOD’S MESSAGE TO THEM
1. Verse 15b, "The Battle is Not Yours, but God's."
Vs. 17; "You won’t have to fight this battle." "Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you."
2. The great truth here is, we don't go alone! God hasn’t abandoned us. We don’t have to fight our battles by ourselves. God says He will fight them with us and that we will prevail!!
B. THEY BEGAN PRAISING GOD FOR THE VICTORY BEFORE THEY SAW IT! Manifestation of higher faith.
1. To some it looked like foolishness, but their faith pleased God. God wants us to rise to a higher level -- faith walk -- of trusting Him.
2. Verse 22 says; "As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against... their enemies."
a. Their faith provoked God to action. (Paul & Silas; 3 Hebrews)
b. God is a liberator: from bondage, sickness, lack, ignorance, weakness, doubts, fear.
c. The Closer we get to God, the More:
-- Our bands are loosed;
-- Our closed doors are opened;
-- Our ropes are burned off.
C. RESULT
1. The enemies turned and destroyed themselves.
2. Israel plundered their enemies!
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: BROKEN HINDU GOD
1. In a remote village in India, several Christians were taken by force by 8 fanatic Hindus to the home of a Hindu "mother." They were ordered to heal her of a polio-like illness.
2. The leader of the Christians stated that since the weapons in the hands of their captors indicated they intended to hurt them if they failed, then stated they were not afraid to suffer and die for their beliefs if the Lord chose not to heal this woman.
3. But then he added they were privileged to have the opportunity to pray that God would show His love and healing power to man, even those who mistakenly believe in the Hindu gods.
4. As they prayed the leader felt heat in his hands. Clearly the power and presence of the Lord was there. After the prayer it wasn't long until the woman stood on her feet healed.
5. During the prayer a Hindu god toppled of the "god shelf" and was irreparably damaged. That day the angels and those Christians rejoiced over 9 new converts added to the Book Of Life. [Voice of the Martyrs].
B. THE CALL
1. How many are facing a dark time in your life? It’s time to call upon the Lord! God is a God who hears and answers prayer! If you want prayer, why don’t you stand up right where you are.
2. Why don’t you take one more step and come stand together up here at the front. We’re going to pray for you.
3. The Bible says, "Pray one for the other." Let’s get one person to come put a hand on their shoulder; ladies with ladies, men with men.
4. How many want to commit to pray for someone else's deliverance?
5. Salvation call.
STEPS: 1. Prayed with faith; 2. Recalled God's Past actions; 3. Reminded of Relationship; 4. Stood on the Promises; 5. Was Humble; 6. Was sincere /fervent; 7. Prayed with Expectation.
