Hope and Comfort · Emotional Healing
Feeling discouraged?
6 min read, approximately
2 Chronicles 20:1-2 ASV
“And it came to pass after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea from Syria; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (the same is En-gedi).”
We have all faced circumstances where the situation becomes so complicated that we end up losing our peace, strength, and courage, and this leads us into a state of dejection and discouragement.
You know, we are not the only ones who have gone through this. The Lord’s Word shows us so many people who fell into this state. However, we will focus on one in particular: King Jehoshaphat.
Who was King Jehoshaphat?
- Jehoshaphat was a king in Jerusalem (for 25 years) who loved to follow the Lord’s instructions.
- He was so diplomatic that he made peace with the king of Israel (even though he himself was much stronger).
- He set out a plan to teach the people the law of the LORD, and on top of that, he had incredible strength: a great army!
And guess what: the Lord put fear into the surrounding kingdoms so that none would dare confront Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 17, 1 Kings 22:41-43).
But then what happened?
Unexpected things always happen, and King Jehoshaphat was no exception…
While he was busy with various tasks, such as instructing the people and appointing judges who were to act in the fear of the LORD, with truth and an upright heart (2 Chronicles 19:4-11), the unexpected happened!
– Messengers: King Jehoshaphat, King Jehoshaphat!!! A great multitude is coming against us!!!
– Jehoshaphat: Stay calm! We have a great army!
– Messengers: No, my lord! It turns out that it is not just one people: the kingdoms of Ammon and Moab are coming!
[And while Jehoshaphat was trying to gather his thoughts]…
– Messengers: My lord, the Meunites have joined them too!
To help us picture the situation:
- Jehoshaphat: Blue, Kingdom of Judah (Kingdom of Judah)
- Ammonites: Orange, Kingdom of Ammon (Kingdom of Ammon)
- Moabites: Purple, Kingdom of Moab (Kingdom of Moab)
- And the Meunites (the city of Maon)? Click here to see where the city of Maon is
What would we have done?
Phrases like these fill our minds: “Lord, what happened… Haven’t I walked in your ways?” “Lord, why are you allowing this? It isn’t fair…”
Our hands grow weak, our courage fades, we feel so dejected, we lose our breath, and we are filled with fear and distrust. These are the moments when the Lord expects you and me to acknowledge our condition, lift our hands to him, and recognize who our Lord and Savior is!
What did Jehoshaphat do?
Filled with fear, Jehoshaphat sought God’s help, and to express his distress, he asked all his people not to eat. People came to Jerusalem from every city of Judah to ask for God’s help. Seeing the crowd, Jehoshaphat stood before the new courtyard at the entrance to God’s temple and prayed:
‘God of our ancestors, you are in heaven, and you rule over all the nations of the earth! Strength and power belong to you! No one can defeat you!
‘Our God, you drove out the peoples who once lived in this territory and gave it to us, the descendants of your friend Abraham.
‘This has been our country, and in it we built a temple to honor you. There we offered this prayer: “If you ever punish us with all kinds of calamities, and in our distress we come to seek you in this temple, hear us and help us.” (2 Chronicles 20:3-9)
How many of us take this attitude?
Nothing is impossible for God! Whatever situation has brought us into this state of discouragement, God reminds us today that he is always in control and that he always fights for us!
“This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid or dismayed before this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15b)
“You will not need to fight in this case; take your positions, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17a)
Jehoshaphat rose from that state of discouragement and believed in almighty God!
“…And as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said: Listen to me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will stand firm; believe his prophets, and you will prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20)
And what happened?
“When they began to sing songs of praise, the LORD turned against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir the very ambushes they had set as they came against Judah, and they killed one another. For the people of Ammon and Moab rose against those of Mount Seir to kill and destroy them; and when they had finished with those of Mount Seir, each helped destroy his fellow. Then, when Judah came to the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and there they lay dead on the ground; no one had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoils, they found among the bodies many riches, clothing, and precious jewels, which they took for themselves—so much that they could not carry it all. They spent three days gathering the spoils, because there was so much.” (2 Chronicles 20:22-25)
For reflection
Come on! Do not lose heart! We all certainly need to understand that when discouragement enters our lives, we need only
cry out to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, acknowledge our condition before the Lord,
recognize that the Lord will always be far greater than our adversity, believe that he will act, and while this is happening… praise him!
And just like Jehoshaphat, we will receive the victory!
_**Remember to visit the Songbook
May God continue to bless you, and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!