The King Who Won A War Without Fighting (The Story Of Jehoshaphat)

HOW JEHOSHAPHAT WON:

1. HE INQUIRED THE LORD AND PROCLAIMED A FAST.

a. 2 Chronicles 20:3

Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

b. He trusted God. (Proverbs 3:5)

c. They gathered together and seek the Lord.

d. 2 Chronicles 20:4

The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD ; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

e. There is power in unity.

2. HE PRAYED AND REMEMBER GOD’S PROMISES AND FAITHFULNESS.

a. 2 Chronicles 20:5-9

Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard and said: “LORD, the God of our ancestors, 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. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’

b. Isaiah 43:26

Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

c. As we pray to God, let us put God in remembrance.

d. 2 Corinthians 1:20

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

3. HE FOLLOWED GOD’S INSTRUCTION.

a. 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

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. 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. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’ ”

b. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

c. The battle is the Lord’s.

d. Take up your positions.

e. Stand firm.

f. Go out and face your enemies.

g. The Lord will be with you.

4. THEY PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD.

a. 2 Chronicles 20:18.

Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD .

b. 2 Chronicles 20:21-22

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.” 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.

c. Miracles happen when we praise and worship God in times of trials.

d. Acts 16:25-26

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.