O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
2 Chronicles 20:12-13 KJV
How many times have I come to a crossroad and find myself asking, “Now what?” Too many times to number.
The problem with this is that I asked myself this question. I am in the situation and yet I question myself as if I could gain some instantaneous over arching understanding and come up with a solution. If I proceed with my choice, I oftentimes find myself in a bigger hole without a rope.
However, if I were to ask someone who did have more knowledge and insight than myself, then a better resolution could be found and followed. Who better to ask than the Creator of all things, the LORD of all?
Jehoshaphat found himself being approached by a large host prepared to destroy him and his people. He did not know what to do: the numbers coming against him were greater than his own and he had no real chance against them. On top of this, he was responsible for all of Judah who looked to him for protection.
Fortunately, he took the problem to the LORD God. And God responded:
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
2 Chronicles 20:14-17 KJV (emphasis mine)
There was a solution: God would be their protector. They would not need to do anything more than stand still and watch.
Jehoshaphat and the people had a proper response:
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
2 Chronicles 20:18-19 KJV (emphasis mine)
How many times has the Lord solved my problems and yet I do nothing more than say a quick ‘Thanks!’ as if it was a mere trifle. Yes, it may be for God – He is God after all. But more times than not, the problem that He solved would have engulfed me and my family. A proper response to the Lord’s work in us should always include thanks, worship and praise. Again, He is God, after all.
What I love about this event is what Jehoshaphat did to put up a defense for his people: he placed the worship team at the head of the army. The primary weapon used: Praise music unto the LORD.
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
2 Chronicles 20:21-22 KJV
A problem found. A plea for help and deliverance. A response that was better than ever expected. Actions followed in faith. The problem resolved.
It is amazing how the LORD works if only we let Him. Don’t try to solve the problem yourself. He has a better solution.
