Lessons from the Jews on Praise ~Part 1

This past Sunday, our pastor mentioned a chapter in the Scriptures that really caught my attention.  During the afternoon, I looked up that chapter, 2 Chronicles 20, and was really surprised by what I read.  I've read it before, but the Lord opened it anew for me this time.  And I pray that He might do the same for you today.

It all begins when "the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against [king] Jehoshaphat" (vs. 1).  Enemies approach.  Foes are lying in wait for them.  Insurmountable foes.  What's a king to do?  Read how Jehoshaphat handles the situation:

"And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord" (verses 3 and 4--emphasis mine here and thereafter).

These verses alone are worth meditating on.  The Jews had a problem.  And instead of mounting the troops and strengthening the barracks, they chose to seek the Lord.  Imagine what would happen if we took our every problem to the Lord like these people did?

They got on their knees and they sought the face of the Lord.  The prayer of Jehoshaphat is recorded for us.  He recalls to mind the character of the Lord and His promises.  He claims those promises.  Verse 12 ends the prayer: "O our God, will You not judge them [our enemies]? 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.” 

Their eyes were upon Him.  And He certainly answered their prayers. The Lord spoke to a man named Jahaziel, a Levite, and said:

"Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” (verse 15-17).

The answer came. The Lord had heard their cry and He would be true to His character. He would deliver them. They had only to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  He would fight for them. And He would win the victory.  Immediately upon hearing this the people, led by their king, bow before the Lord and worship Him.  Then the Levites "stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high" (vs. 19).  What amazing times of rejoicing and worship! Here's what happens next:

Just kidding.  =D  Tune in next time to hear the rest of the story.  If you can't wait that long, you are welcome to read the story in 2 Chronicles 20 for yourself.  But if you don't look the story up, you'll find all the details in the next article.  Until then, meditate upon the lessons we can learn from seeking the Lord and praising Him for His answer.