After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came together to fight against Jehoshaphat. People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you. They are already in Hazazon-tamar (En-gedi).
Jehoshaphat was afraid and he resolved to seek the LORD. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah who gathered to seek the LORD. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him. 2 Chronicles 20:1-3 HCSB
In the middle of the congregation the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants),and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15 HCSB
Have you ever felt as though you were under attack from all sides? Have you ever felt like the army coming against you was so vast that you couldn’t possibly stand up to this large number? I know I have. This is why this scripture is one of my favorites in the Bible. Jehoshaphat was a king that sought to please God. In the chapter just prior to this he had a momentary slip and did something that didn’t please God, but he got his business straight. He knew that with these vast armies coming against him that he better seek God. He knew that only God could save him and his people in a situation like this. He didn’t wring his hands, he didn’t curse the day he was born, he didn’t ask God why He would do this to them, he sought God through fasting and prayer. He also gathered his people together to do the same.
He knew that God could save them. He didn’t use God as a 911, he maintained a close relationship with Him. In this scripture passage the LORD is in all capital letters. This indicates God’s power. Nothing we face is too big for God to handle. The beautiful thing about this story is that all Jehoshaphat and his army had to do was suit up and show up. They just had to be there. In verses 16 and 17 the LORD tells them the next day to go and confront these armies, he tells them just where they will be. He then tells them to position themselves, stand still, see the salvation of the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:17). All they have to do is watch the Almighty God work!. How awesome is that?
Yesterday I got into a conversation with my seven year old niece about God. She was saying how nobody can hurt God because nobody has the power that God has. Translated, God always wins. God is all powerful. She said that nobody could destroy God. If we could all have the understanding of small children and really put it as simply as they do, we would be in good shape. The main thing we need to understand is that no one can win when they go against God. No problem you have is bigger than God.
Oftentimes the biggest problem we have is that we take these problems and try to solve them on our own when they are way too big for us to handle. We forget that we serve a mighty God who is ready, willing and able to save us, all we have to do is ask. And the biggest problem I have had is that I forget to stand still. I forget to just wait on the LORD and watch as He does his mighty work.
Maybe you are in a really good place right now and life is good. Well, I’m happy for you, but know that this won’t last. Thank God for this time of peace in your life, but stick close to Him for when the seas get choppy, because you know that they will. Trust in Him in good times and in bad. Know that you are never going to face a problem that is bigger than the God you serve. You are never alone. When you trust in Jesus Christ as your savior and ask God to send His Holy Spirit to fill your heart, you are choosing to live in the heavenly realm that offers us protection from our enemies. We live in a realm where God’s angels guard us. We live in a realm where we can count on His hedge of protection to surround us.
If you are feeling small and your problem is feeling really big, know that God is much bigger. Know that He wants to help you and work things out for you (Romans 8:28). Call on Him, suit up, position yourself and stand firm and watch God work. Francesca Battistelli’s song, Watch The Giants Fall, is a wonderful illustration of this. As Christ followers, all we have to do is sit back and watch the giants fall.
Have a great day!