How To Win

REFERENCE: 2 Chronicles 20:15-22 (NIV) He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! 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. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’" 18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice. 20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." 22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

Observation: Ever feel like there is a "vast army" against you? Maybe it is financial pressure or relationship problems, family situations. They can feel like they are totally overwhelming. How do we deal with them? This passage gives us some good advice.

1.    Be aware that if we make it a matter of prayer, it is God’s battle and not ours. (Vs. 15) So often we are activist and want to roll up our sleeves and make something happen and God calls us, instead, to realize that it is His problem, ultimately, and not ours.

2.    Take your position (Vs. 17). In other words, we should do what we know we are supposed to do. Love our kids. Work hard to pay every bill we can. Then stand firm and expect God’s hand in it.

3.    Recognize that God is with us (Vs. 17). The only reason we have not to be afraid or discouraged is because God is with us. Not only is He our deliverer but He stands with us and beside us as our comforter.

4.    Have faith in God and in what He has told us personally or through prophetic people. God expects faith from us. Not just a grim holding on, but a faith filled confidence that He is going to act. If we have a hard time believing, we should remind ourselves of all He has done for us in the past and all the ways He has delivered us from difficulties.

5.    Worship Him even before we fight. There are times when we must enter the spiritual battle (even then, it is with the knowledge that He has already won the victory), but the first thing to do is to worship God. Worship Him verbally, worship Him daily. When we are feeling discouraged or afraid, worship Him ever minute of the day, if we need to.

What will be the result? God will bring the victory. Our problems will start to resolve themselves but we need to do our part.

Application/Confession: Right now, maybe because I need the vacation I am about to start, I am feeling a little afraid and discouraged. As soon as I finish my blog I am going to go and worship and pray. I know it is His battle and I’m going to give it to Him to fight.

PRAYER: Lord, You know the pressures I feel. I give them to you. Sunnyside is Your church. You said that You would build it. I am asking you to do just that and I will trust You to do so.