The Battle is the LORD’s ∙
This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us! – 1 Samuel 17:47
2 Chronicles 20:2-20
2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. . ..”
3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the LORD for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.
6 He prayed, “O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are the ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”
7 “O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?”
8 “Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name.”
9 “They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’”
12 “O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
13 As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, wives, and children,
14 The Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.
15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
20 Early the next morning, the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way, Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
How to Pick Your Battles: Four Key Questions
Deciding which battles to engage in is an essential skill, as not every conflict is worth pursuing. While avoiding a necessary battle may be unwise, it is equally important to determine which conflicts should be fought, postponed, or abandoned altogether. In an article for Forbes, Sally Percy outlines four key questions to consider before taking action:
1. Is this your battle to fight?
2. What impact will winning this battle have in the long run?
3. What are the consequences if you lose this battle?
4. If you don’t fight this battle, will you be able to live with yourself afterward?
These questions help clarify priorities and ensure that effort is focused on meaningful and impactful endeavors.
The Father Fights for His Children
Knowing that the Father fights for us gives the children of the King a deep sense of peace and trust. Scripture reminds us that our battles are ultimately His battles.
Psalms 18:2 says, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”
David understood this truth deeply, as evidenced in his confrontation with Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:47, he declared, “This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
The Father’s sovereignty ensures He decides when and how to intervene. However, the children of the King are invited to access His unlimited resources through prayer, aligning their hearts with His will and calling upon His power.
Jehoshaphat’s Example of Trust
The story of King Jehoshaphat of Judah provides a compelling example of trusting in God when confronted with overwhelming odds. Despite his earlier mistakes, Jehoshaphat aimed to honor God by eliminating idolatry and dedicating himself to seeking His guidance. (2 Chronicles 19:2-3). This led to a period of spiritual renewal in Judah (2 Chronicles 19).
When Jehoshaphat learned that Edom’s massive and murderous army was approaching, he was understandably scared. Judah had no chance of defeating such a force. But instead of succumbing to fear, Jehoshaphat turned to the LORD for help.
2 Chronicles 20:3 recounts how he “set his face to seek the LORD” and called for a nationwide fast. He urged the people of Judah to join him in seeking the Father’s protection, and they came from all over the land to pray together.
A Leader’s Prayer of Faith
Jehoshaphat rose to the occasion, standing before the people in the new courtyard of the Temple of the LORD. In 2 Chronicles 20:5-6: He prayed with boldness and faith, saying, “O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”
In his prayer, Jehoshaphat reminded God of His covenant with Abraham’s descendants. He emphasized their special privilege of being able to stand in God’s presence and confidently cry out to Him, believing that He would hear their pleas and act on their behalf.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father’s power is unleashed when His children humble themselves and call on His name. Even the most insurmountable challenges can be overcome through faith and trust in Him.
Father, may I trust You completely and surrender all overwhelming circumstances to You. Your power is greater than any obstacle I face, and I rest in the assurance that You fight for me.
INSIGHT
Why Do Bad Things Happen?
One of humanity’s most persistent questions is, “Why do bad things happen?” For believers, this question is often phrased something more like this: “If the Father is a God of love and all-powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?”
Scripture provides many insights into this question, and 2 Chronicles 20 offers a powerful example. The invasion of Judah during King Jehoshaphat’s reign did not happen as divine punishment but as an opportunity to demonstrate faith. As noted in the ESV Bible commentary, “The invasion followed Jehoshaphat’s religious and judicial reforms, and so was not an instance of divine punishment but rather an opportunity to exercise faith.”
Jehoshaphat’s Response: From Fear to Faith
When Jehoshaphat first learned of the approaching enemy armies, he was understandably terrified. However, his fear quickly turned into faith. Instead of doubting the Father’s power, Jehoshaphat openly declared his trust in Him. He expressed his complete dependence on the omnipotent God, humbling himself and recognizing his own weakness.
Jehoshaphat’s prayer was a powerful declaration of faith:
- “You are the One who gave us this land.”
- “You are the One who allowed Your people to dwell in it and build a sanctuary.”
- “You are the One who said we should cry out to You in our affliction, and You would hear and save us.”
- “You are the One who told us to spare these enemy people when we first came to occupy this land.”
- “You are the only One capable of judging these enemies who are rising against us, we have no power or plan.”
Jehoshaphat concluded his prayer by saying, “Our eyes are upon You.” Essentially, he was expressing, “If You don’t intervene, we are doomed. We place all our trust and confidence in You alone.”
Humility and Trust in the Father
Jehoshaphat’s prayer demonstrated complete humility and submission to the Father’s will. He made no demands of God, nor did he claim any authority or power for himself. Instead, he acknowledged that all power and authority belong to God alone. From this humble position, he asked the Father to act according to His will.
This moment was not just a test of Jehoshaphat’s faith but also an opportunity for the people of Judah to trust in the Father’s sovereignty. And they did.
Victory Through Praise
The army of Judah prepared to face their enemies in an extraordinary way. Instead of marching in a straight line, they were led by a singing marching band. As they moved forward, they sang praises to the Lord, declaring, “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”
At the moment they began to sing and praise, the Lord confused the enemy ranks. The invading armies turned on one another, and without Judah lifting a single weapon, the battle was won. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 20:21-23, the Lord’s intervention brought complete victory.
The Father’s Faithful Love
This story is a powerful reminder of the Father’s faithfulness and His ability to turn impossible situations into opportunities for His glory. Isaiah 44:21-22 beautifully captures the Father’s love and commitment to His people: “Pay attention, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I, the LORD, made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”
The Father’s love is unwavering, His power unmatched, and His promises unbreakable. Through humility, trust, and praise, His children can face any challenge, knowing that He fights their battles.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 