The Battle Belongs To The Lord

THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD

2 Chron. 20:2-25

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: BRAIN TRANSPLANT NEEDED

1. A man needed a brain transplant and met with a brain surgeon to discuss the prices. The surgeon said, “One pound of chimpanzee brain costs $1,000. One pound of human brain costs $5,000. Lastly, one pound of politician’s brain costs $10,000.”

2. The prospective patient had a look of amazement; “Why does one pound of politician’s brains cost so much?” And the surgeon replied, “Do you know how many politician’s brains it takes to get one pound?!”

B. TEXT

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already [at En Gedi]. 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people…came from every town in Judah to seek [God]. 5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly…at the Temple of the Lord…and said: “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” 13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah …as he stood in the assembly. 15 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, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 24 When the men of Judah came to the place…they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; 25There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 2 Chron. 20:2-5; 12-15; 17; 21-22; 24-25.

C. THESIS

1. This morning we're going to look at how a believer was able to connect with God in such a way that his problem was taken on by God.

2. Whatever battle we’re facing, we’re going to find that “The Battle Belongs to the Lord!”

I. WHEN CRISIS HITS THE BELIEVER

A. A GOOD KING ATTACKED

1. Jehoshaphat was a godly King. He was leading his nation toward God. Through him many people were hearing about God.

2. But the Devil didn't like it. He purposed to destroy Jehoshaphat and the godly remnant. He

sent a vast invading Army of three nations.

3. The Land Trembled. There was terror on every face. This invasion meant death, siege, destruction, starvation, slavery, loss of everything.

4. It was a dark hour for Jehoshaphat. Are you facing a hard time now? Watch closely what happens next.

B. FLUCTUATING FAITH

1. Although the Bible doesn't say it, I believe Jehoshaphat wrestled with what to do next.

2. WHAT OTHER KINGS WOULD DO?

a. Call up all able-bodied men & train.

b. Hire mercenaries.

c. Try to buy-off invaders with a huge bribe.

3. What do you do when disaster hits?

a. Panic? Blame God?

b. Try to solve it yourself?

c. Go into depression? (Some get closer),

4. We know from READING, A BATTLE BTW JEHOSHAPHAT & 3 KINGS NEVER HAPPENED! But Jehoshaphat did have a battle in his faith. Remember – we’re more than Conquerors! But we must know ‘who we are.’

5. ILLUS. A few years ago, everybody sang "I Went to the Enemy's Camp." The end of the song says, "He's under my feet, Satan is under my feet." There was a three-year-old girl in a church named Taylor. One day someone asked her, "Taylor, where does Jesus live?" She replied, "In my heart." The person asked her where Satan lived. Without missing a beat, Taylor said, "Under my feet!"