2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
Two Nations were poised to battle against Judah under King Jehoshaphat and naturally he was afraid. These were insurmountable foes. His own military leaders had run to tell him, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea..." It looked bad. It was worse than it looked. But Jehoshaphat would be found guilty.
Guilty of knowing from where his help would come. Guilty of hearing the worst of information and not be cast down in his cares. Guilty of stability in his faith. Guilty of actions that get him a, "well done good and faithful servant." Now Jehoshaphat was not always found guilty. Prior to this, he aligned himself with those who opposed God. He paid consequences of defeat for those alignments. He learned, and would not go on living without being convicted of aligning himself with his God and not man for help.
Jehoshaphat would align his emotions with the power of God, "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." Yes, he feared. The news of these powerful Nations coming against him would foment fear. It is where Jehoshaphat took that fear that found him guilty of trusting God. He did not face this trial alone. He called in his entire Nation to a fast. He brought in others. He brought his circumstances to the light so that others could walk with him. They would be affected by the outcome of Jehoshaphat's fear or faith.
We will read that God came to the rescue, but not without outlining work for Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah to accomplish. They were told to position themselves. Their rescue would not come without having to face what they feared. They were commanded to stand still. Their rescue would not come through their devices, clever schemes, their bombast, or fierce power. They had to stand and face what was coming to destroy them, without a word, or warrior power. They had to do this in full on faith, no more fear, nor be dismayed. They had no weapons, they had no words of intimidation. They had to walk in faith, into this fierce battle. But they would find their rescue in worship. They couldn't stay home and hide, they were instructed to "go out against them." What? Yes, go out against them! God finished his instruction by giving them one last message of hope, "for LORD is with you."
Was Judah found guilty of believing God and in that believing, obeying?
18 "And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.” 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
Judah was found guilty that day. They were found guilty of a belief that led to obedience. They were found guilty of hearing the Word and being doers of the Word. They were found guilty of walking by faith and not by sight. They were indicted, and the verdict handed down was, "Guilty!" They walked through fire and were not burned. They walked through the water and were not drowned. That verdict is forever in the testimony of Scripture.
What will be your verdict when The Judge reads out your sentence? I pray that my faith continues in obedience. When I fail in obeying, I pray I stay willing to repent. I want to be found guilty. Will I? Will you?
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