The Weapons Of Our Warfare Series

THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE

2 CHRONICLES 20

The apostle Paul wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Paul, of course, is speaking of spiritual warfare. Whether we like it or not, we are engaged in a spiritual war. The weapons we fight with are not material weapons such as smart bombs and missiles. However, the weapons we fight with are powerful and they are effective.

Have you ever faced a situation or a crisis that was so difficult that you simply didn’t know what to do? Of course you have, and most likely your will face such a crisis again.

What do we do when we face those moments in life when we just don’t know what to do? The story of Jehoshaphat gives us a picture of what we can do when we simply don’t know what to do. We learn from the story of Jehoshaphat just what our spiritual weapons are.

I. THE FIRST WEAPON IS PRAYER TO GOD (20:3-12)

King Jehoshaphat faced a serious crisis. Three nations were about to attack Judah and Jerusalem. It was the case of David and Goliath all over again. Like us, Jehoshaphat’s initial human reaction was panic. "And Jehoshaphat feared...." However, he did not let his fear defeat him because he "set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast...."

Not only did Jehoshaphat pray, he called his people to prayer. There is power when God’s people unite in prayer for one purpose.

Note that in his prayer, Jehoshaphat reminded God of His past deliverances. (6-7) It was not that God had forgotten, but Jehoshaphat needed to build up his own faith. Furthermore, he appealed to Scripture as he prayed (8-9). Actually, he appealed to 2 Chronicles 7:14. We need to learn to pray the scriptures. He presented his problem to the Lord (10-11). Finally, he rested his case in God’s hands (v. 12). "O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming up against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

When you and I face those crisis moments when we don’t know what to do, prayer ought to be our first resource, not the last resort.

II. THE SECOND WEAPON IS THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD OF GOD (20:13-17)

One of our greatest weapons when we are actively engaged in spiritual warfare is the word of God. We must let God speak to us through His word. As we seek God in prayer and as we look to God’s Word for guidance, God will give us an answer.

Remember the temptation of Jesus. Jesus answered Satan’s attack with the Word of God. Satan used Scripture but he twisted scripture for his own diabolical purpose. Jesus used scripture rightly. That is why we need to learn to rightly divide the Word of truth.

Following his prayer, God sent a word of hope, a prophetic word through a prophet named Jahaziel.

Jahaziel said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you:” In the OT, God spoke through the prophets. They delivered God‘s Word to the people. Therefore, they often began their messages by saying, “Thus says the LORD.” Yet Jesus never said “Thus says the LORD.” Why is that? Jesus is the LORD. He is God in flesh. He said, “Verily, verily, or “truly truly, I say unto you.” The Greek word, is “Amen, Amen, I say unto you.”

Jahaziel encouraged the people to trust in God. “Do not be afraid not dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”

God told them where the enemy was and that they would not have to fight them. They were to position themselves, not for battle, but for observation. They were to stand still and see the salvation of the LORD. They were to watch what God was going to do.