Sermons - 2008 Week 25 - Jun Wk 4
Jehoshaphat’s Prayers
2 Chronicles 20:1-17
In the military encounter of Judah with the people of Moab and Ammon, King Jehoshaphat was faced with overwhelming forces of his enemies. His people gathered together to listen to the King. He was to address them.
Would it be a military solution, a “strategy to defeat the enemies”?
Would it be “clever plan” to outwit the enemies?
Would it be “terms of surrender” on their part?
Instead he came up with a prayer!
In Jehoshaphat’s prayer. three rhetorical questions were asked.
Are You not?
2Chronicles 20:6
The question was, rhetorically, “Are You not” the God who is in sovereign control?”
Of course! If God cares for us, we need not worry. We are, in fact, victors, not victims of our circumstances. The circumstances are there for our growth. God gives us a steady compass.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
This verse states clearly that those who wait on the Lord, those who seek Him and depend upon Him, will be answered by the Lord. In the earlier verses, in Isaiah 40:27-30, the people of Israel were losing heart and felt that God did not care for them. On the contrary, Isaiah was telling them that God is everlasting and never wearies but will answer those who trust and seek Him.
Did You not?
2Chronicles 20:7
The question was asked,
“Did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?”
God’s faithfulness in our lives should give us confidence in every situation. Here, one should claim the promises of God as He had given it to the descendants of Abraham so God will protect His people. Likewise, we should also claim the promises of God in the Scriptures.
Will You not?
2Chronicles 20:12
The third rhetorical question was, “Will You not judge them?
For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” In essence, God will protect us and deliver us in all our trials. In Psalms 121:5, “The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.” While our shield is held in our left hand and our sword in the right, in Psalm 121:5, the description is God will protect even our most vulnerable position on the right. He is always with us.
The prophetic proclamation in verse 15, “‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s”, clearly tells us that if we trust God, the battle is not ours but God’s. Leave it to Him during your darkest hour. He will do battle for you, if only you would let Him.
When Peter attempted to walk on the water he lost his focus and started sinking (Matthew 14:24-33).
What did Jesus do?
He could have willed Peter to walk back up again. He could have changed nature so that Peter will not sink; He could have frozen the water so that Peter will stop where he was. Instead, Christ reached out his hand to grab Peter. This is what our God will do. He will lovingly take care of us when we show our faith and depend upon Him wholly.
Mr and Mrs ET Chua
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