Today I’m reading 2 Chronicles 20 and slipping my modern-day feet into the ancient sandals of a surrounded King. Jehoshaphat was facing an enemy on every side. He wasn’t a perfect king, but he did manage to set his “heart on seeking God” and that afforded him a steep advantage.
To his credit, King Jehoshaphat responded to the enemy’s threat by calling his people to a national fast. The whole country got on their face before the Lord. As current day readers, we are encouraged. When the enemy surrounds us, we can set our sights on God.
The prophet Zechariah responded to Jehoshaphat’s heartfelt prayer in a pretty awesome manner:
“He said: “Listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afford or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
(2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV)
I have to stop right there and check to make sure I read it right. According to God: fear is a choice. Discouragement is a choice. I add this new information to last week’s lesson about offense: offense is a choice. And God was telling Jehoshaphat (and us) that we can choose otherwise.
I’m chastened. It’s hard to believe that something as big as fear or discouragement or offense is just a choice we make. It feels far too hard to just choose another path, doesn’t it? I’m pondering it this morning, how these predatory emotions could be resolved by something as simple as choice. If I’m being transparent, I’m struggling with my own fear and discouragement and offense today, and I feel the Spirit tugging me toward a different path, a better path.
I pause to wonder; who is the enemy in today’s narrative? It certainly isn’t the person that is making my life more complicated right now. This person loves the Lord. They are doing the best they can with the equipment they have. They are typically for me, it’s just that today they are consumed with their own fears and frustrations. They aren’t the enemy…
Then I realize it. My flesh is the enemy that surrounds me. The biggest battle for my soul most typically rages beneath my own skin. It’s my desires and will and preference that present the greatest threat to my obedience to God’s commands.
Zechariah reminded Jehoshaphat:
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. God out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV)
Jehoshaphat needed to choose his position and so do I. I choose bravery. I choose to encourage myself in the Lord. I choose to live unoffendable amidst a very offensive culture. I can take my stand and let the Lord do the battling.
For me, right now; I feel invisible. I feel unseen and unheard and unimportant. But God whispers, “I am with You. Isn’t that enough?” I’m taken aback. The God of the universe sees me, hears me, and believes I’m important enough to fight for. To die for. What else could I need? Who else’s opinion or favor matters?
When Jerusalem got this word, they “fell down in worship before the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:18 NIV) This feels like an appropriate response for me, too. The Live Dead Joy reading confirms it.
“The battle is often for our praise. Will we praise the Lord in the face of adversity and challenge? If the devil can steal our praise or corrupt it, he has accomplished his ends – no matter the external results. This is why prison, sickness, trial, and even death are so misleading. The point in trial is not external deliverance or relief, bu praise that rises from our hearts to heaven. Praise is the victory.” (Live Dead Joy, Dick Brogden)
When the whole world rose against Judah, they fell on their faces in worship. This feels like the right next move for me, too.
Only when Judah worshiped did they see victory. Turns out, God set an ambush against the enemy and they were confused and defeated. I think of my flesh and I’m ready for the confusion and defeat of my sin nature. Praise is the key to my victory.
I keep reading and the psalmist confirms this theory.
“Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord – now and always.”
(Psalm 131:1-3 NIV)
In the psychology world they call this phenomenon self-soothing; when a child learns to calm their own anxious heart. Believers can self-settle, too. Praise is the pacifier that soothes our soul. Praise reminds us of just Who is on our side and how awesome He truly is. We can trust Him forever amen.
Lord, forgive us for our choices of fear, discouragement and offense. Thank You for showing us a better way. We can choose to be brave, to encourage ourselves in You and to be unoffendable. We take the stance and You fight our battle. Thank You for seeing us, hearing us and helping us. Today we choose You. We trust You to defeat the enemy; within and without alike. Amen.