Living His Word

II Chronicles 20:12 ERV: Our God, punish those people. We don’t have the strength to stop this large army that is coming against us. We don’t know what to do! We are looking to you for help.”

One of the greatest victories of the people of God over an enemy happened during the reign of Jehoshaphat. A large army came against the people of Judah, and Jehoshaphat was afraid. Although he was afraid, he had the presence of mind to do the right thing. He announced a time of fasting for everyone in Judah and he gathered them together for prayer. Jehoshaphat himself led them in prayer. Our verse for today is the conclusion of his prayer and it is instructive for our own prayers.

First, Jehoshaphat confessed that the people of Judah did not have the strength to defeat the large army. What we can learn from this is that when the disaster is about to strike it is no time to act proud. We should be humble like Jehoshaphat and confess the plain state of affairs before the Lord. We should come before the Lord with our requests precisely because we do not have the strength and ability to overcome the situation on our own.

Second, Jehoshaphat confessed that the people of Judah did not know what to do. What we can learn from this is that when the problems are overwhelming and the path forward is not clear it is no time to try and figure things out on our own. We should be humble like Jehoshaphat and confess our ignorance before the Lord. We should come before the Lord with our requests precisely because we do not know how to overcome the situation on our own.

Finally, Jehoshaphat stated that they were looking to the Lord for help. He had confessed their weakness and ignorance and he now states that the only thing they know to do is ask the Lord for help. They do not have the strength or wisdom and so they are going to simply wait before the Lord.

The Lord responded to Jehoshaphat’s prayer that day and gave the people of Judah an overwhelming victory.

When we admit to the Lord that we don’t have the strength and the wisdom to overcome, but we are looking to Him for help, then He can go to work for us just like He did for Jehoshaphat.