Pray the Solution

In 2 Chronicles 19:3, we are told of a situation involving the Israelites and King Jehoshaphat. The children of Israel were surrounded on three sides by three different armies. Jehoshaphat is no different that anyone of us today. Verse 3 states, "Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."

There are times when we are bombarded with negative news. Food is low. No money in the bank. News of layoffs. Bills due. Pain in our bodies. Those are equivalent to Jehoshaphat's situation. We are surrounded on every side by a problem or circumstance of life. But notice Jehoshaphat's reaction, he sought the Lord and went on a fast! He immediately did what he knew to do.

Now, let's take a look at how he prayed. We will break it down into several sections. His prayer starts at verse 5:

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the LORD’s temple before the new courtyard. 6 He said:

"Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. 7 Are You not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend? 8 They have lived in the land and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name and have said, 9 “If disaster comes on us—sword or judgment, pestilence or famine—we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your name is in this temple. We will cry out to You because of our distress, and You will hear and deliver.”

He started with praise and acknowledgement. He reminded God of the covenant with Abraham. He reminded God that they were in the place He called them to inhabit. And the last bolded part is my favorite. He acknowledged that God is the only source for an answer and that God will hear and deliver them.

The next section is where Jehoshaphat tells God the situation. Yes, God knows your situations and circumstances. Even Jesus acknowledged the Father knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8). But we are to ask and receive that our joy may be full (John 16:23). Look at the words of Jehoshaphat:

10 Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of Your possession that You gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.

The last line is the key phrase of the prayer - we do not know what to do but we look to you. That is very humbling because Jehoshaphat recognized his limitations with creating a solution. It is similar to us. We can not use the credit card to buy groceries. It's maxed out. We cannot call our parents or other family members because they are not in a position to help. We are at the mercy of our employers who seemingly hold the power of our futures in their hands. Cry out - "Lord, I do not know what to do but I look to you!"

Look at God's response which starts at verse 15:

15 ... “Listen carefully, all Judah (Insert your name - Dayna) and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem (Insert your name - Dayna). Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you."

Take your time and read through the answer. God told them exactly where the enemy was located and exactly what to do. God said, you do not have to fight. I will take care of it for you. Just stand still! In today's society, standing still is a challenge. We want to DO something. Even as Christians. We want to DO something to help God. But there are times when we have done everything that we know how to do and it is just time to stand on God's word and promises (Eph 6:13). God told them DO NOT be afraid. DO NOT be discouraged. This directive tells me that opportunities will arise in which fear and anxiety try to creep into your life. You have to choose to accept and receive the word of God.

During your test or trial, seek Godly counsel. There is nothing wrong with going to a more mature Christian to get confirmation on what you heard the Lord say to your spirit. Choose to rest on that word. After you have prayed the solution, receive the victory. Look at what happen beginning with verse 20:

In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the LORD and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing

Give thanks to the LORD, for His faithful love endures forever.

22 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.

Because of their praise, the Lord delivered them from the hands of their enemies. The Israelites did not have to physically fight a war. The greatest battle is generally within yourself. You have to labor to enter into the rest of God and receive His promises. We have an adversary who will whisper "what are you going to do if you lose your job?" Where are you going to get money for groceries? How are you going to do this or that?"

You have to choose to be courageous in the face of those whispers. You have to choose to open your mouth and praise God. You have to choose to stand firmly on God's word. Choose today to declare the works of the Lord in your life. It is easy to fear. It takes work to have faith. Choose faith today and watch God destroy the enemies in your life too!