When You Are Threatened Lesson 6 Series

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.” Psalm 23:4, NKJV

“Some came … told Jehoshaphat … a great multitude is coming against you from beyond the (Dead) sea .. Jehoshaphat feared … seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast ... Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:1-4, NKJV

“Moab … with Ammonites … come to battle against Jehoshaphat.” Chronicles 20:1, NKJV

“Jehoshaphat stood … O Lord God … we have no power against this great multitude ... nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” 2 Chronicles 20:5, 12

1. God’s people were threatened when a great army from two nations marched against Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 20:1).

2. King Jehoshaphat led God’s people to pray and fast (v. 3).

3. God sent the prophet Jahaziel with a promise of victory from God (2 Chronicles 20:14-17).

4. Promise – if God is for you who can defeat you.

5. Amazing step of faith. “He (Jehoshaphat) appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and those who should praise the beauty of holiness ... walk before the army singing to the Lord and praising Him” (v. 21).

6. What is on the U.S. front lines? Soldiers/warriors. Support groups are behind battle front? What does this communicate ?

7. Choirs and praise teams appointed not primarily for talent, but spiritual ministry to God (v. 21).

8. Worship activates God to action. Where do you need the Holy Spirit to work in your life?

9. Went out to meet the enemy “into the wilderness” (v. 20). You will never get out of your spiritual wilderness without worship and fasting.

10. You face not one but two or more armies. What are you enemies? Remember you face: (1) world, (2) flesh, (3) satan (1 John 2:1-7; 2 Peter 5:8).

11. Is there noise at your battle front? Praying, singing, shouting to the Lord (v. 22). “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies …. to start fighting among themselves” (v. 22).

12. The Christian life is not a picnic in the park, it is war (Ephesians 6:10-18).

13. How do you get ready for war? “Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (v. 3).

14. Recalling God’s faithfulness in past emergencies will inspire faith.

15. The king led the nation (all the people) in fasting, prayer, praise, and worship. Reminding God of His past protections. God smiled.

16. Then all marched straight into the wilderness, toward the enemy. An act of faith.

17. Application:

a. Whatever your problem or burden … fast.

b. No matter how hard the present ... praise. “Israel praised its way into the wilderness, and back home in victory.

c. No matter when … stop and seek God!

18. Surprising victory. “So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much” (vv. 24-25).

19. Celebrate with praise. “Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 20:27-28).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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