Day 273.
At one point during the reign of Jehoshaphat, several of the Southern border nations joined forces to attack Judah, more than Judah could handle. So we find King Jehoshaphat in prayer before the Lord…
O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2CH 20:12 ESV)
What a great prayer! And yet a difficult thing to do. Can you imagine sitting and waiting as an army marches toward your door? It isn’t a presumptive wait, however. Earlier in the prayer Jehoshaphat remembers the history of Israel as God gives them the land and promises to come to their aid when they humble themselves before him and look to him. Jehoshaphat’s prayer is one that reflects this faith. Still, I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to be on such a position.
In answer, God promises to fight for them and instructs them to go out and watch. In As they go Jehoshaphat instructs the people with words that we would do well to remember.
And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”
In the meantime, the allied nations turn on each other until they are all wiped out. So that when the King and the people arrive, they find nothing bit dead bodies!
