TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’ (2 Chronicles 20:15b ESV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• This morning, I was reading in 2 Chronicles. In chapter 20, we find that the king Jehoshaphat was facing a battle and some enemies wanted to destroy him. There are some key verses that reminded me so much of the battle our world is facing today. Let me share these:
- Verse 3a: Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord…
- Verse 12b: For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
- Verse 15b: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’
- Verse 17a: You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.
- Verse 21: And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
I encourage you to read the whole passage for yourself but these were the stand out verses. Jehoshaphat was afraid. I can relate to that. He sought the Lord and he prayed. I can relate to that too. And what I love is how God answered Him! He reminded Jehoshaphat not to be afraid because the battle was His! God told Him that it wasn’t Jehoshaphat’s battle to fight and to be still!
I think we can all relate to being still right now, can’t we? We are all facing an enemy right now. And I’m not just talking about coronavirus. The enemy of God wants to take down the church. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV). Satan is scheming and conniving. He will do whatever he can to separate the church and cause derision. He wants to bring us down! He wants us to be afraid! He wants us destroyed. But Jesus—He has always wanted to extend life and His goodness. Even in the days of Jehoshaphat.
Please understand, I’m not saying that we should defy government restrictions and return to our sanctuaries this morning. I believe that in this time, we are being given a gift—an opportunity to prove to the world that the church has never been a building! It’s the people of God! And let’s go back to 2 Chronicles 20:21 for a moment—When Jehoshaphat and the people stood in front of the enemy, they sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
As you sit at home, what are you doing? Are you fearful? It’s understandable. It’s a scary time. But if we seek God, He gives us peace. He reminds us that He’s in charge. And our job, through it all, is to continue to praise Him! To give thanks to Him! Because it’s a timeless truth—His steadfast love endures forever!
Today, as you pray, praise God who fights our battles! Thank Him that He never sends us out to face our enemy unarmed or unprepared, but He asks us to seek Him and trust Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be still, let God fight for you, and to be the church from your home. Ask Him to remind your heart to praise and worship Him in every situation.
SHARING ••• Please share with others! Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. Download a free Bible-In-A-Year Reading Plan when you subscribe! Join an online prayer group at www.facebook.com/groups/onlineandonourkneesprayergroup. ***Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture references are from the ESV translation.
