"He said: 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live
in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be
afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is
not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will
be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the
gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this
battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance
the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not
be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be
with you.’”
Enemies prepared to attack them by sneaking around Judah and
Jerusalem. By the time Jehoshaphat, the king, and his people discovered this
plot to attack, it was too late to muster the troops. In his alarm, Jehoshaphat
resolved to inquire of the Lord and called for a fast among all of Judah. The
people came together to seek the Lord and then Jehoshaphat stood up and prayed.
Verse 13 tells us: “All the men of Judah, with their wives and children
and little ones, stood before the LORD.”
Standing before the LORD. When we are in need, most of the
time, we knee before the LORD. “Standing before the LORD"
encompasses a range of meanings from service and worship to judgment and
intercession. It reflects a position of honor and responsibility, requiring
those who stand before God to do so with reverence, faithfulness, and
integrity.
In the Old Testament, “Standing before the LORD” is
associated with intercession and prayer. In the New Testament, “Standing before the
LORD” implies a life of holiness, readiness, and accountability. It calls
for a heart that is pure and a life that is aligned with God's will. Believers
are encouraged to live in a manner worthy of their calling, as they are
continually in the presence of God, who sees and knows all.
A powerful moment unfolds as they stood and prayed. The
Spirit of the Lord comes upon one of their own, Jahaziel, a Levite from the
family of Asaph, who stands in the midst of the assembly. Jahaziel speaks with
authority, declaring that the battle is not theirs but the Lord’s. He
encourages them not to be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will be with them.
The presence of God is palpable as Jahaziel delivers the
message of hope and assurance, reminding them that victory belongs to the Lord.
This pivotal moment sets the stage for a miraculous turn of events as God’s
people prepare to face their enemies with newfound courage and trust in the
Lord.
In verse 17 God tells the people, “You will not have to
fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the
deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be
afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and
the Lord will be with you.”
This story encourages us to find peace and strength in
knowing that we do not have to face life’s challenges alone. It reminds us that
God is with us, fighting our battles on our behalf. This verse offers
reassurance that we can rely on God to provide us with the guidance and support
we need to overcome any obstacles we may encounter in moments of fear or
discouragement.
God gave them the victory. And God will give us victory as
we trust Him and seek His will. The next time you need God’s assurance and
direction, stand before your God and watch what He does for you.
“All the men of Judah, with their wives and children
and little ones, stood before the LORD.”
By His Grace . . .
