P R A Y E R !
Quite possibly the most unused tool in the belt of every believer.
The Apostle Paul finishes his letter to the church in Ephesus with a description of a warrior’s wardrobe. The prize at the end is prayer, the capstone of a beautiful piece of spiritual armor, perfectly appropriate for engaging in spiritual battle. The verb translated “praying” in verse 18 suggests an active, ongoing effort that enlivens the entire uniform, weaving all the different pieces of armor together into a singular fabric of military precision for the sake of godly provision. The kneeling warrior is the posture of a Christian standing for the Lord.
This “warrior pose” is exemplified by King Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 20 finds him surrounded by an enemy, “a great multitude.” Instead of “lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” It’s “Moabites and Ammonites and Meunites, oh no!” The feelings of dread tingle down the spine as paralytic paranoia settles into the city of Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat is “afraid” and the people are “powerless” before such an enemy. Certain doom is upon Judah and her king and the only thing left to do is……
P R A Y !
Something guides Jehoshaphat in this moment: a determination that grounds him for such a time as this. He comes to power in his mid-thirties. The text says that he is 35 years old when he begins to reign and that he will reign 25 years (2 Chronicles 20:31). We’re told his mother’s name is Azubah, but his father is Asa, king in Judah for 41 years. It’s Asa’s reign that establishes a mindset in young Jehoshaphat of seeking first the LORD and trusting Him to lead in matters of policy and governance. Earlier chapters in 2 Chronicles describe Asa as doing “what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2). He tore down the idolatry around him and won back the tribe of Judah for the glory of Yahweh alone. God blesses Asa with many years of peace and prosperity, and the family of Jehoshaphat reaps the benefits of God’s benevolence as a result.
When it’s Jehoshaphat’s turn to reign, it’s a pleasant observation by the chronicler that he follows in the footsteps of his father and does what is “right” in the eyes of the LORD. It’s especially noted (impressive, too) that he “walked in the earlier ways of his father David” (2 Chronicles 17:3). The LORD establishes his kingdom and enables him to become a great king… perhaps one of the greatest kings in Judah’s history of kings! At the core of his being is the determination to obey the LORD, to seek Him with his whole heart and to follow Him above all else. He is a man after God’s own heart (just like King David, but also like Jonathan, Samuel, Joshua, Moses….. you get the picture!).
This mindset steadies his decision-making (see chapter 17, verse 4 -- he sought Yahweh, not the baals); it underscores his relationships (the counsel given Ahab ahead of battle against Syria, chapter 18, verse 4), and it informs his policies for those who govern alongside him (lead others according to the fear the LORD, chapter 19, verses 7 and 9).
Now, when faced by a great multitude, what will Jehoshaphat do?
P R A Y !
The text reads in verse 3 of chapter 20, “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD…” The Hebrew term for “set” is nathan (the popular English name), meaning “to give.” He relinquishes control of his circumstances; he gives governance to the God of glory! Like a gift you give; you release it to the one who receives it. It’s now theirs, and not yours. On the heels of giving over governance, is a phrase already applied throughout his reign: he sought the LORD, implying that Jehoshaphat never attempted life without the LORD. This is Jehoshaphat’s modus operandi: seeking first the LORD and entrusting himself to God’s will.
If you take the time to read chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles, you will be introduced to one of the greatest chapters of God’s provision in all of Scripture. The prayer of Jehoshaphat turns into a chorus led by the Jewish praise team that orchestrates a national worship service, loud and triumphant, with Psalm 136 as the theme song, “Give thanks to Yahweh, for His hesed (steadfast love) endures forever!”
And….. while the worship is cranking, God be working: an ambush, confusion, destruction and annihilation; the enemies of Judah are totally routed!!
Learn from King Jehoshaphat: seek first the LORD and His righteousness. I’m pretty sure He’ll take care of all the rest! 🙂
Glorify. Train. Engage. 