Now it happened after this that the Moabites and the Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. Then it was reported to Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude has come against you from beyond the [Dead] Sea, out of [a] Aram (Syria); and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is, Engedi).” 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set himself [determinedly, as his vital need] to seek the LORD; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So [the people of] Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; indeed they came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD [longing for Him with all their heart]. 2 Chronicles 20:1-4 AMP People react differently to problems and danger, some will “bury their head in the sand” refusing to seek out the truth, others freeze like a deer in the head lights, some will rush out to the danger without a game plan and then there are those who are willing to face the adversary after they have assessed the situation and found a plan of defense. Proverbs 27:12 states “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Taking refuge does not necessarily mean to move to an isolated compound that does not allow anything or anyone in. When COVID first hit, one of our employees told us he was quitting and he was taking his family to a gated community in the mountains so they could survive the pandemic. Our refuge according to this scripture is found in God!
Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold.” As Christians, when we see danger coming, we are supposed to run to God for safety and for instruction for the battle. “God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. Do you run to God in times of trouble or do you just keep going and pay the penalty for the choices you make.
In 2 Chronicles 20, many nations, the bible says a great multitude, came together to fight against Jehosophat and Judah. Jehosophat was warned that the army was coming and there would be great destruction form the armies beyond the Dead Sea. The report of the impending attack created fear in Jehosaphat, because he knew Judah did not have the man power or weapons needed to fight this large army. Jehoshaphat knew where his strength and deliverance came from. 2 Chronicles 19:3 revealed where his heart was, “ But there are some good things found in you, for you have removed the Asherim (idols) from the land and you have set your heart to seek God [with all your soul’s desire].” Before trouble came, Jehoshaphat gave his heart to God and set his affections on Him. Jehoshaphat was so passionate about God; he tore down the idols in the high places and he went about the kingdom influencing the people to turn ack and worship God. Even when we love God and we are doing everything we know to do to serve and honor Him, there will still be battles to fight. Jehoshaphat did not get selfrighteous and shake his fist at God and question Him why this evil was coming his way, after all, he faithfully served God. There is no reference in the bible where he was arrogant or haughty, but instead, he humbled himself in front of the people by seeking God. He called for the whole nation to join him in a time of prayer and fasting. Strong leaders not only know what their source is, but they are able to influence other5s to join them in the pursuit of righteousness and truth. Jehoshaphat went through out all the cities of Judah in 2 Chronicles 19 and called the people back into a personal relationship with God.
He did not wait until a problem arose, he was proactive and when the enemy began the attack, Judah was already a nation founded on God. The people of Judah came together to seek the Lord Jehoshaphat not only had a personal relationship with Giod, He knew that God was hie strengthen and God alone could solve the situation he was in. Listen to his prayer. “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven? And do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, there is no one able to take a stand against You.” HE knew who God was by the victories God won for Israel in the past, “O our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Your friend Abraham?” God does not need to be reminded of the victories He has accomplished in the past, but we need to remember God’s faithfulness and the battles He has won. He reminded God of the promise He made to Solomon after the Temple was dedicated, “Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and [d] sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 When we turn our hearts to God and seek Him with our whole heart, He will answer.
God spoke through Jahaziel, the Levite and said, “The LORD says this to you: ‘Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Go down against them tomorrow. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the river valley, in front of the Wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight in this battle; take your positions, stand and witness 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.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17. When we humble ourselves before God and ask Him for understanding and direction, He will answer us and show us how to get the victory. Jehoshaphat and the people with him, bowed down and worshipped God. The next day they put the worshippers before the army of the Judah and as they approached the battlefield the sons of Amin and Moab attacked their alleys the inhabitants of Mount Sier and then all the armies started killing each other. Jehosophat was able to sand and see the salvation of the Lord.
WE are in a battle today, much like Jehoshua faced in 2 Chronicles20. As Christians we are grafted into the family of God along with His chosen people the Israelites. Israel is under attack from Hamas, Hizballah and both are funded by Iran. They are defending their selves from the attack on October 4 and fighting for the land God gave them. Not only do these radical groups hate Israel, they hate the United Sates of America. Our borders have been open for almost 3 years. Long before that, the radical movement has put a plan into motion to influence our colleges and to change the minds of our youth and children, causing them to hate our freedom and our government. God told Cindy Jacobs to call for a national 3 weeks of prayer and fasting and calling for a 911(Psalm 91:1) over the United States of America, Israel and Christians around the world. Cindy along with her husband Mike, Chuck Pierce, Jeremiah Johnson, and Jane Hammon. Will you stand with them and be prudent seeking refuge in your prayer closet for the next 21 days? The alternative option is to be like the simple in Psalm 27:12 and keep going like nothing is happening. Sadly, the simple will reap the consequences of their choices and pay the penalty. The Bible says one can put a thousand to flight and 2 ten thousand, how man can the remnant praying together put to flight? I know God will hear our prayers and deliver us from the plans of the enemy. Will you join me as I stand on my knees in prayer for the next 21 days and fight for the land God has given us and Israel? WE have too much at stake to not take this time seriously. Psalm 57:1” Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings, I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.” Have a blessed week.