OUR REFUGE IN NATIONAL CRISIS
"So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord." II Chronicles 20:4
I. THE CRISIS
An overwhelming army from Moab and Ammon was invading Judah. By the time King Jehoshaphat got the message, the invaders were only thirty miles from Jerusalem.
"It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.
Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, ’A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar’ (which is En Gedi)." 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 (NKJV)
II. THE CRY
“O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee. And all Judah was standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives, and their children.” II Chronicles 20:12-13.
III. THE COMMAND
1. From God:
"Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s….You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves and see the salvation of the Lord in your behalf." (15,17)
2. From Jehoshaphat:
"Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will be established." (v. 20)
IV. FAITH AND COURAGE EXHIBITED
"Jehoshaphat appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said: "Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." (v. 21)
V. FAITH REWARDED
1. The Enemy Destroyed:
"And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mt. Seir who had come up against Judah; so they were routed. For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men of Mt. Seir destroying them completely, and when they had finished killing them, they helped to destroy one another." (v. 22-23.
2. The spoils of victory enjoyed:
"And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much." (v. 25).
VI. PRAISE IN THE VALLEY OF BLESSING
"Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord….for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies." (v. 26, 27).
CONCLUSION
Wise indeed is the nation experiencing crisis to seek God and His will to find divine deliverance. Such is the promise of II Chronicles 7:14:
"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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
