In Second Chronicles chapter twenty, we find the remarkable story of how King Jehoshaphat, when faced with an overwhelming attack from his enemies (three of the neighboring armies had formed an alliance that out numbered he, and his army) that he turned his attention to seek the Lord. (v.3)

This attack (as severe as it was) caused him to turn from his fears. It says that “Jehoshaphat was afraid and he turned his attention to seek the Lord.”(v.3). Although his first reaction was fear, he turned to personal prayer, and sought the Lord.

I suppose that it is possible that this attack may have caused him to seek the Lord in way that he would not have, if there was no attack!

From a renewed position of personal prayer, (he had to deal with his own fears first) he then leads his people in heart-felt worship, corporate fasting, and corporate prayer (v.4-13). This was a ‘rallying cry’ for all the people to seek the Lord for his strategy, his guidance, and for his solution. They were not willing to allow themselves to surrender to their fears nor to be defeated by their enemies.

In spite of their perplexities (being out numbered, and with their own confession of not knowing what to do) Jehoshaphat declared: “But our eyes on on you.” (v.12)

This then caused an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to come upon one of the worshipers, (v.14) and it released a prophetic word that carried the instruction of the Lord as to how he wanted them to posture themselves before him and before their enemies. His intention was complete victory! You do not need to fight in this battle – for the battle is not yours, this battle is the Lord’s. (v.15,17) The next three things are important: 1.) Position yourself, 2.) Stand still and 3.) See the salvation of the Lord. (v.17)

This was not a passive posture but an active position of trusting the Lord and putting their faith in what the prophets have said! (v.20)

The story concludes the Lord caused their enemies to turn on each other and Israel won a mighty victory that day! (v.22) So much was the victory that it took the next three days for Israel to gather up all of the spoil after the battle had been won. (v.25) Beloved, get ready to gather up your spoils!

~ Dan Ecker