Revival: Stronger Than Ever
Where to Turn in Your Darkest Moment
Scripture:2 Chronicles 17-20
When I was about six years old, my parents bought me a new bicycle that had decorations on it that made it look like a racing bike. It was the best thing ever and I rolled that all over the place. I had a rule that I could only ride my bike to the end of the street as we lived in a cul-de-sac so there was hardly any traffic.
However right on the other side of 63rd St which was my limit , there was a dirt bike trail that a bunch of kids from that neighborhood had made. It had Hills it had moguls it had a big jump on it. they further improve that jump by putting it at the bottom of a Hill and then jumping over a small pit. I could watch them jump that pit from the end of the street , but since it was on the other side of 63rd I wasn't allowed over there.
One day, my male testosterone got the better of me and I crossed the forbidden line. I rolled over to join the other kids in writing this dirt bike trail. I pedaled to the top of the Hill for the first time and look down at that jump. outside of a couple of curbs I had never jumped with a dirt bike before and didn't know how to do it. all I knew is I wanted to experience jumping my bike so down the Hill I went faster and faster I pedaled and hit that jump and soared through the air.
it felt amazing until I landed. You see no one had ever taught me you have to pull back on the handlebars a little bit when you jump otherwise your front wheel goes down and you fly over your handlebars upon landing which I did. My head hit a rock , busted wide open and there was blood everywhere.
This was long before bicycle helmets were a thing.
I started to try and walk my bike home while holding my and over the cut on my forehead, and couldn’t really see well because I was bleeding everywhere. All I know is I wanted to get home, hide the bike, and get a bandaid before my mom saw what happened.
However, one of the kids yelled for their parents who gave me a ride home with my bike and my mom was absolutely furious because I had to go to the emergency Department and get stitches.
Needless to say that was the end of my riding that bike for the rest of the summer.
Today I want to introduce you to a man who found himself in situations that were not ideal. Often times, he didn’t always do the right thing.
With all of that, he’s a man I’d like to meet some day.
He’s the son of Asa. His name is Jehoshaphat and he was the 6th king in the line of David.
Ezra who wrote Chronicles, introduces him to us this way:
2 Chronicles 17:3-6
The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commands… So the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. Then all Judah brought him tribute, and he had riches and honor in abundance. His mind rejoiced in the Lord’s ways…
NEED
If you’ve ever been in a tight spot,
if you’ve ever been in a place where you didn’t know what to do,
if you’ve ever felt like you’re facing an enemy who is bigger than you and could destroy you and all you hold dear,
Jehoshaphat will be your hero. Because Jehoshaphat faced all of that and humbly confessed, “I don’t know what to do.” In front of God and everybody.
And yet, he did exactly the right thing, eight times in a row.
Let me show you his story. It’s in 2 Chronicles 20.
But First, Prayer
Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king. And he reigned over Judah, for 25 years. Jehoshaphat’s story spans two wars and a bad marriage. I’ll tell you about the bad marriage next week. It almost wrecked the kingdom, and almost scuttled God’s plans to send a Messiah through the line of David. – Don’t miss next week!
The story begins with… 2 Chronicles 20:1-2;
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came 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” (that is, En-gedi).
I put a map in your bulletin to show you what he was facing
The Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites all lived on the east side of the Dead Sea. Their nations had been conquered under King David, and now were rebelling.
How would you feel if you got word that a huge army, much bigger than your own, was coming to get you? What would you do? Well…
20: 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah, 4 who gathered to seek the Lord. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek him.
Three strategic things Jehoshaphat did in this dark moment:
What Jehoshaphat Did in His Dark Moment:
1. He resolved to seek the Lord. V. 3a
2. He called for a fast. V. 3b
3. He gathered the people. V. 4
Last week we learned God’s promise to Asa: that the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.
At the first sign of danger, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord because… he sought the Lord in all things. His heart was fully devoted to the Lord.
Application
How’s your heart these days? Who or what is it devoted to?
To deepen his commitment, he called a fast. When you fast, you’re constantly thinking about food. Which means you’re constantly reminded that you do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Jehoshaphat gathers the people together because there is strength in numbers. – Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. And, “Wherever two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, there He is in our midst.”
Jehoshaphat does a fourth strategic thing.
4. He prayed. Vs. 5-12
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the Lord’s temple before the new courtyard. 6 He said: Lord, God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven, and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, and no one can stand against you. 7 Are you not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in the land and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name and have said, 9 “If disaster comes on us—sword or judgment, pestilence or famine—we will stand before this temple and before you, for your name is in this temple. We will cry out to you because of our distress, and you will hear and deliver.”
10 Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of your possession that you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.
Jehoshaphat reminds God of who He is and what He’s done for them in the past. “You rule with power, and you’ve been there for all the descendants of Abraham,” he says.
Jehoshaphat affirms their commitment to the Lord, “We built your sanctuary. We’ve worshiped you there. And now, we’re crying out to you from there.”
Then he presents the problem: “We’re being invaded by people we once had mercy on.”
And He calls on God for justice. “Will you not judge?” He’s reminding God that His reputation is on the line.
The climax of Jehoshaphat’s prayer is a prayer I have prayed hundreds times. He says, “We do not know what to do, but we look to you.”
You know, people think pastors have it all together. Let me tell you something- I’ve been in ministry for about 20 years, and have been around hundreds of pastors when they let their guards down and be real-
None of us have it all together all the time.
But what many of us have done, and in my mind marks the good pastors from the bad pastors is this-
They are willing to pray this prayer-
We do not know what to do
But we look to you.
God’s Answer to Jehoshaphat when he prayed this prayer
13 All Judah was standing before the Lord with their dependents, their wives, and their children. 14 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), 15 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.
APPLICATION
How many times have you faced something terrible and felt like you were all alone in it?
Friend, if you are committed to the Lord, if you are wholeheartedly devoted to Him,
if you have said, “Lord, live your life through me, and I will live for you for the rest of my life,” then the eyes of the Lord are on you, to strengthen you.
The battle you are facing is not yours, but God’s.”
This is not your problem anymore- God takes up the battle.
My little brother is 5 years younger than I am and was getting bullied a little in school. He told me about it, so big brother showed up to school the next day and sorted things out.
God wants to hear about it when you are frightened and facing down the giants in your life. He loves the following prayer-
“This battle is yours Lord.”
Back to the scripture
Jahaziel continues: 16 Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.
And listen to this friends…
17 You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.’
This was their darkest moment. Facing a numerically larger enemy, with no hope of reinforcements or allies coming to help them- they were facing certain defeat.
So God sends them this encouraging word- and look at the reaction of the King
18 Then Jehoshaphat knelt low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship him. 19 Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting loudly.
Isn’t THAT good?
A fifth thing Jehoshaphat did:
5. He led the people in worship. Vs. 18-19
“They stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel loudly.”
Well, what do you suppose happened the next day? How many Israelite’s do you think died in the battle?
Let’s find out: 20 In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa.
Tekoa is about 12 miles south of Jerusalem. It’s a fairly easy hike, since it’s all downhill. Just before they started the hike, the text says…
As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
I’m intrigued by this next part:
21 Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of his holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for his faithful love endures forever.
POINT
I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about the power of singing, but meditate on this for a minute. They all sang, and the Lord heard them, and here’s what happened:
22 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the Lord set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.
Apparently, there is a hidden power in singing friends! There is power in praise. Something happens when we use our voices to make a melody to God. – You might consider that the next time you’re in trouble, or the next time you’re in the shower.
The sixth strategic thing Jehoshaphat did was...
6. He appointed people to sing. Vs. 20-21
Who would have thought that a major move to defeat an enemy would involve music and voices?
Now, bear in mind, Jehoshaphat and all the people don’t know what’s happened on the battlefield. They haven’t arrived yet. They’re just marching along singing. Verse 24 says… When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the large army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped.
RECAP
Here’s the story. And it’s a true story: once upon a time, there was a big bad army coming against the people of God. The people did not know what to do, but they resolved to seek the Lord. They gathered together; they fasted; they prayed; they heard a word from God from one of His spokesmen; and they worshiped. They began to sing, and God performed a miracle: He ambushed their enemies… and the people lived happily ever after!
But wait! There’s more:
25 Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to gather the plunder. They found among them an abundance of goods on the bodies and valuable items. So they stripped them until nobody could carry any more. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much. 26 They assembled in the Valley of Beracah on the fourth day, for there they blessed the Lord. Therefore, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah today.
“Beracah” means, “blessing.” The place became the Valley of Blessing.
Jehoshaphat’s seventh strategic move was…
7. He blessed the Lord. Vs. 26-29
And the rest, as they saw, is history.Verses 27-30 tell of a great celebration and rededication to the LORD.
RECAP
Those verses tell us of the great revival under King Jehoshaphat: A terrible disaster looks like it’s going to ruin the nation. Nobody knows what to do.
But one man, the king, stands up and says, “I’m going to seek the Lord.”
He asks the nation to join him, in fasting, in gathering together to pray and ask God to deliver them. God answers through Jahaziel. “I’ve got this.” He says. “The battle is mine. I invite you to come and watch.”
The people believe. They bow down to thank God in faith for what He’s going to do, and they rise up and praise Him with singing. Early the next morning, they sing their way to the battlefield, where, instead of having to destroy the enemy, they find out that the enemy has destroyed themselves.
So the people help themselves to the spoils, return home and hold another worship service, and then they enjoy the eighth and final strategic move which is…
8. They rested. V. 30
They enjoyed the peace God gave them.
Ezra, who chronicles this story for us, is teaching us about how to rescue a nation.
He’s showing us that…
Lessons from Jehoshaphat’s Revival:
1. God is available and attentive in your darkest moments. 2 Chronicles 20:17b
God is there and God is aware.
Ezra is showing us that…
2. Prayer is more powerful than any enemy. 2 Chronicles 20:12
Even when we don’t know what to pray for. Jehoshaphat’s prayer is one of the simplest, yet most profound prayers in all of Scripture. He just says… We do not know what to do, but we look to you. 2 Chronicles 20:12
Paul, in the New Testament, says,
In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. Romans 8:26
When you’re in a dark moment, you don’t have to have the solution to your problem. You just have to remember who does.
“We do not know what to do, but we look to you.” I encourage you to memorize that. It will work for any occasion.
In this story, Ezra is showing us that…
3. God is able to turn whatever comes against you against itself. 2 Chronicles 20:22
He can turn trials into triumphs.
Failures into learning lessons.
Enemies into friends.
Or into providers for our every need.
God can take anything that is coming against you and use it for you… because He is for you.
And Ezra is showing us that…
4. God can turn evil into good by allowing evil to destroy itself. Romans 8:28
In Romans 8, right after telling us that the Spirit prays for us when we don’t know how to pray for ourselves, Paul says… And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Jehoshaphat’s enemies thought they were coming to steal, kill, and destroy. They didn’t know they were actually coming to turn over their personal possessions to the Israelites.
APPLICATION
Today, we are facing an enemy too small to see but too big to ignore. The Coronavirus is a real enemy, with real consequences.
The elections have yielded even more consequences, some of which may not be good for our nation.
We’re worried about losing our health or losing our loved ones.
We’re worried about our jobs and our finances.
We’re worried about equality.
We’re worried about politics.
But Jesus didn’t teach us to worry- in fact quite the opposite-
“Come to me,” Jesus says, “all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon me and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
PRAYER
Father in heaven, you preserved this story about Jehoshaphat to remind us to turn to you in our darkest moments.
The worldwide pandemic and its economic effects feel pretty dark to us Lord.
We don’t know what to do, but we are looking to you.
We don’t know what to do about the elections, but we look to you
We don’t know what to do about our personal lives and situations we are dealing with their- but we look to you.
Father, help that prayer not to be just our fall back prayer, but the one we pull out first, and give us the wisdom and strength to wait for your answer to show itself.
[Give assurance of salvation and close the prayer.]
