A REFLECTION ON 2 CHRONICLES 17-20 

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How many times are we in situations where we just don’t know what to do? Everything is going wrong. It seems like everyone is against us. That was Jehoshaphat, one of the few good kings of Judah.  The Bible says, “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 17:3-6). Jehoshaphat was bold, moving forward confidently as he led his country. Everything seemed to be going his way.

Then Jehoshaphat made an almost fatal error. He made a huge decision without consulting the LORD, forming an alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. They went out to battle against the armies of the king of Aram, who had given orders to kill only King Ahab. In a shocking decision, Jehoshaphat agreed to go into battle wearing his royal robes, while Ahab was disguised. Enemy archers pursued Jehoshaphat and were about to kill him, when they realized they had the wrong king. Jehoshaphat barely escaped with his life.

God sent a prophet to Jehoshaphat to rebuke him for helping the wicked and those who hated the LORD. To his credit, Jehoshaphat went back to serving the LORD and instructing his people to do the same. Things were looking up again – until Jehoshaphat received a message of coming destruction.

A huge army, made up of soldiers from three nations, was headed to wage war against Judah. Jehoshaphat had learned his lesson; he immediately decided to ask the LORD for direction, and he proclaimed a fast for all his people. They assembled in front of the Temple, and Jehoshaphat acknowledged God’s greatness and power – and the huge army ready to attack them. He cried out, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the Levites, and he spoke to the king: “This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s…. Tomorrow march out against them. 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. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you’” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

Early the next morning, Jehoshaphat and the people gathered. The king, with the people’s approval, appointed singers to march ahead of the soldiers! Their task was to sing to the LORD and praise Him for His holiness. They sang, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever.” And as they began to sing and praise the LORD, He set ambushes for the enemy. When the people of Judah reached a place where they could see the enemy army, they discovered that the three armies had attacked and killed each other! There was no enemy left to fight!

For most people, when we’re at the end of our rope, it’s instinctive to say, “I don’t know what to do!” But we often don’t take the next step and say, “Lord, my eyes are on you. You know the answers. You have the power to help me. I put myself in your hands.” That is true surrender. God has promised that if we need wisdom, if we need help, when we call to Him, He will answer. Then we can move forward in confidence, as the people of Judah did, praising God for His goodness and love.

We don’t know how God will answer, but we know He will. He may change the circumstances; He may change us (our attitudes, feelings, and expectations). He may give us the strength to go through the situation. The point is, when we come to the end of ourselves and acknowledge that we don’t know what to do, we make room for what God wants to do. And that is true victory.

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