Mighty in Battle, Pt. 3

“Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:8 (NASB)

We’ve been talking about standing firm in God’s armor when the enemy comes against us, and we’ve been looking at examples from the Old Testament of the ways in which God fights for His people when they stand firm in Him. When I’m tempted toward discouragement or fear and I know I need to stand firm, I often turn to chapter twenty of Second Chronicles to remind myself of God’s awesome power in battle.

King Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, one of few in a long line of kings who had set his heart toward God. During his reign, the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Meunites came to make war against him (2 Chr. 20:1). When Jehoshaphat heard that a great multitude was coming, he was afraid but that fear didn’t paralyze him. He proclaimed a fast throughout Judah, gathered all the people together, and sought the Lord.

Jehoshaphat’s prayer is instructive. First he worshiped God, highlighting the very attributes relevant to their need. He said, “O Lord, the God of our Fathers, art Thou not God in the heavens? And art Thou not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Thy hand so that no one can stand against Thee” (20:6). He then reminded God that He had given them that land and that His people had built a sanctuary there, such that when evil was coming against them, they could cry out to Him there for deliverance. Jehoshaphat let God know that this was such a time, and that their enemies were coming to drive them out of the land God had given them.

Jehoshaphat ended his prayer with this: “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” (20:12).

While the people were still gathered, God sent an answer through a prophet, telling them, “‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” The people were told to go down tomorrow to face the enemy, but they were also given this promise: “‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem’” (20:15-17).

The next morning, the people of Israel went out to meet the enemy, but instead of putting the warriors out front, King Jehoshaphat appointed those who sang and praised God to go out before the army. And this was their war cry: “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (20:21). This is the account that follows:

“And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely, and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped” (20:22-24).

God was true to His Word! His people didn’t have to fight. They trusted in Him, even worshiped Him in the midst of enemy attack, and God fought the battle for them. It amazes me that He actually caused their enemies to destroy themselves from within. Do you see now why I turn to this passage again and again? It strengthens me to raise that shield of faith and trust in God’s power to deliver, no matter the situation.

Heavenly Father, I thank You that the battle belongs to You. Help me to rest in Your provision of strength. Whenever the enemy comes against me, let my eyes be on You, for You are mighty in battle. In Jesus’ name, Amen.