Thoughts for Life: #34 Jehoshaphat: Victory Through Prayer

Alvin Vandergriend- 2 Chron. 20:6, 12 "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you . . . (v. 12) 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."

(Read the full story of this victory through prayer in 2 Chron. 20 :1-30.) (Google image, King Jehoshaphat praying)

Jehoshaphat ranks very near the top of my heroes of prayer list. His prayer leadership won the day when Israel was under attack by a large coalition arm of three neighboring nations.

The first think Jehoshaphat did when faced with a dire threat was to call for a fast. Serious prayer was always part of fasting. Then, standing before the people who had come from every town in Judah, he led them in a most remarkable prayer — a prayer that acknowledged God's adequacy and their human inadequacy.

It began with the words "Power and might are in your hand" and ended with these words: "We have no power . . . We do not know what to do." That's always a good place to start and a good place to end when facing a crisis. Humble prayer is our supreme weapon against the devil's schemes.

Then Jehoshaphat "hears" a word from Lord, who speaks to him and the people through a prophet: "Listen . . . 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's' " (2 Chron. 20:15).

Jehoshaphat didn't have a clue how God was going to fight the battle, but he trusted that God would do what He promised. God's word is always trustworthy.

We know Jehoshaphat and the people trusted God because from that moment on they stopped asking and started praising. "All the people . . . fell down in worship before the Lord" (20:18). If you really believe God's promises, praise is the only proper response.

So thoroughly did Jehoshaphat and the people trust the Lord that they did what was militarily unthinkable; they put a choir at the head of the army. The choir led the army praising God for the splendor of His holiness and singing, "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever" (20:21). Those who really trust God do not always do things in a conventional way.

As people marched out praising God, before they ever reach the battle lines, the Lord, true to His promise confused the enemy so completely that they ended up destroying themselves. God, moving in response to the prayers of His people, always delivers what He promises. That's the confidence we have when we pray.

This remarkable prayer experience of Jehoshaphat and the people of Israel ended where it began, in the temple, with another praise service.

There is only one successful way to face a crisis and to defeat the enemy who wants to triumph over us, and that is through prayer — but not just any old prayer. This kind of victory calls for prayer that begins with, moves out obediently with, and ends with praise.

(pp. 88, 89 in Love to Pray- 40 Day Devotional for Deepening Your Prayer Life by Alvin Vandergriend)

Let's pray-

Father, help us examine our praise habits, to see where we've failed to praise You. Especially when we are uncertain of what the outcome is of what we've prayed for. When we know that You've laid a burden upon our hearts for something or someone, and You've made it clear that we must pray for Your help, help us release it into Your Hands to bring about what will be best for everyone involved.

Enable us to focus our eyes on You, praise You, and believe that You're working on the solution. We're thankful that all power and might are in Your hand, and that no one can withstand You. What You deem possible and right, we trust is for the delivery of those we're praying for. May our hearts praise You for Your Goodness.

We pray this, believing in Your Word, that You hear us and are always ready to help when we ask earnestly. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

John 1:12 (NKJV) "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believed in His name."

Luke 24:49 (NKJV) "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

Acts 1:8 (NKJV) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Quote for today-

~ Alvin Vandergriend- "God, moving in response to the prayers of His people, always delivers what He promises. That's the confidence we have when we pray."

Words of wisdom-

Some people would be willing to go through their "pit" experience again, to relive the experiences they had with God!

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