The Battle Is The Lord’s

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.