Seek the Lord

King Jehoshaphat had just set judges before  all the cities of Judah and brought them all back to Lord saying "Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart." (2Chronicles 19:90)

Wouldn't you know that after coming back home he found out that several tribes were preparing for battle against him. What does he do? Get angry? complain? No, " he was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord." (20:3) not only that he told all of Judah to do the same. "They all assembled (came together) to seek help from the Lord." (vs.4)

In their time of fasting and seeking the Lord, all they could say was "We do not know what to do, but our eyes on on you." (vs.12) 

I love the simplicity of their prayer.

During this time of waiting the bible says they stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, their children. Everyone! They came together in unity seeking their faces before the Lord, coming with nothing. They didn't know what to do, but they knew the one who did!

The Spirit of the Lord came to them and said "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD'S." "You will not need to fight this battle. STAND FIRM, HOLD YOUR POSITION, and SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD ON YOUR BEHALF."  They all fell down before the Lord and worshiped Him.

Even though the armies were coming after him, King Jehoshaphat knew WHOSE HE WAS, so he knew this battle was not really against him.  He trusted!

Early the next morning Jehoshaphat took counsel with his people and appointed them to "sing to the Lord and praise Him in Holy attire, as they went before the army saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever."

Don't miss this! A group of them went before the army to the people who wanted them dead and sang praises to the Lord!!

What did the opposing army do? When they heard them coming singing praises, they started to fight against each other and the bible says they destroyed one another. 

In the midst of our circumstances are we choosing to fight or sing His praises? Are we willing to push our pride aside and say "I don't know what to do, but you do!"

Are we willing to stand firm, hold our position, and watch the Lord move?

I don't know about you, but I always want to fix everything or runaway from it.

Guess what the Lord did when they returned home? " He gave them rest."

We not only fight the battles that were never ours to begin with, we also fight the rest that was gifted to us.

I want to go into battle standing firm and singing His praises, not defending my pride or looking for an escape route.