Giving God Praise In The Midst Of A Storm

Introduction:

We as believers have already been informed that we are going to face trials and tribulations in this life. Sometimes the hardships of life are so great that we even contemplate about giving up.

If you haven’t reached that point in your life, just keep on living because that day is surely on the way. There is no escape from it, but there is a solution to that situation.

There is way to handle the adversities of life without stressing out to point of throwing in the towel and saying enough is enough, and with that thought that brings me to first point.

Development:

First Point: We Must Seek The Face Of God

Looking at the situation that Jehoshaphat is faced with, we can easily see ourselves in his shoes. Now here it is Jehoshaphat has been told that there is a vast army coming to destroy him and the people of Judah.

These vast armies were the men of Ammonites, and Moabites, and the Meunites. Jehoshaphat knew that he did not have the power to deal with such a vast army.

This caused Jehoshaphat to have a national fast. This was to show God sincerity and to seek His face. This was customary for a Hebrew Kings to proclaim a fast in perilous situations. A city, a district, or the entire kingdom went into fasting depending on the severity of the emergency.

Whenever the situation was one of great urgency, a universal fast took place that included infants as well infants.

(2 Chronicles 20:13; Joel 2:15-16; Jonah 3:7)

Jehoshaphat knew he and his people had to seek the face of God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Jehoshaphat goes to the temple in the middle of the courtyard to pray and to seek the face of God for himself. As he prays to God he exalts Him and gives Him the highest praise he knows how.

He acknowledges God for His sovereign power, he acknowledges God for His wisdom, he acknowledges God for His grace. He acknowledges God for kindness and grace given to them by way of Abraham, his descendants, and land. We should never forget where we have come from.

Jehoshaphat is reminding God of His promise. He was reminding God that He told him that anytime that he needed Him, He would be there for Him.

After Jehoshaphat was done praying, the Spirit of God came on a Levite by the name of Jahaziel a prophet (not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible). He informed Jehoshaphat that everything was alright, not to worry.

One thing about God, when He informs you that everything is going to be already, He will send someone else with the same message. He will tell you first, and then send someone to you with the conformation.

Jahaziel said to King Jehoshaphat, “Don’t worry, don’t be afraid, don’t even be discouraged because of what you see. Don’t let the numbers frighten you. I know that the there is a vast army on the way.

But keep this in mind, the battle is not yours, but the Lords. Don’t flinch and don’t even buckle. I got everything under control. I’ve got your back.

God told me to tell you all that you have to do tomorrow is to march down against them and stand firm. Don’t move. Don’t fight. Don’t run. This battle is the Lord’s. It’s all in His hands.

God was setting up the stage for the apostle Paul. Because in 2 Corinthians 4:18 it says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

This brings me to my final point.

Second Point: Give God Praise In Advance For The Victory

The next morning, King Jehoshaphat had his men get into place. He had his singers (we call them in this present day the PRAISE TEAM) and the men with their instruments to go the front of the line. King Jehoshaphat encouraged them not to be afraid because God was here on the battlefield with them.

As the vast army began to march, King Jehoshaphat gave the signal for the PRAISE TEAM began to their singing and the men to start playing their instruments.

The Levites led the van with their musical instruments and singing the 136th Psalm.

PS 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Just let me read to you just several of the verses of praise rendered up to God while on the battlefield.