The Art of War

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd June 16, 2020 - Filed in Devotional - 4,913 views
  Our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but out eyes are on you. All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 2 Chronicles 20:12 WEB
  
  While under the reign of Jehoshaphat, Judah began to have a small revival and returned to the Lord for a season. Then the Ammonites and Moabites, who came from Lot's incest with his daughters (Genesis 19:36), invaded Judah with a great army. Jehoshaphat was scared. He began to pray, and He declared a fast throughout Judah.
  
  As everyone gathered before the Lord at the temple, the Spirit of God came on Jahaziel and he declared: 'This battle is the Lord's.' The Holy Spirit spoke through him and told the people to not be afraid nor dismayed, that they should go out against them tomorrow, for He would be with them (20:17). The following morning, the people marched out to face the giant army as God had told them to. Jehoshaphat encouraged the people with this:
  
  'Hear me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Yahweh your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall you prosper' (2 Chronicles 20:20).
  
  Then Jehoshaphat set the praise team in front of the army, and they began to sing praise songs to the Lord: "Give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness endures forever.' When they began to sing, the enemy armies turned on each other and began to fight amongst themselves. They completely wiped each other out and by the time that Judah got to the battle, there were only dead bodies and treasure to be found. Not a single enemy had escaped.
  
  When Judah arrived, they found an abundance of riches and precious jewels, more than they could even carry. There was so much loot that it took three days for them to gather it. What a breakthrough! On the fourth day the people held a gathering in the valley and blessed the Lord, for He had caused them to rejoice over their enemies (2 Chronicles 20:26).
  
  Here is a summary of what happened:
  
  1) There was a small revival stirring in Judah.
  
  2) Their enemies were then stirred up against them and invaded.
  
  3) Judah sought the Lord with prayer, praise, and fasting.
  
  4) The Lord told them not to fear, but go face their enemy, and they did.
  
  5) The Lord made their battle His, and destroyed the enemy armies before they got there.
  
  6) Judah looted an abundance of treasure.
  
  7) They gave thanks to God for the amazing breakthrough.
  
  How does that effect us? When you begin to seek God in a deeper way, opposition will certainly come against you. Do not turn back in fear, for this is when you need to press into God even more as they did, until He makes the battle His own. Give Him no rest. God did not take His people around the problem. He had them face it and took them straight through it.
  
  God still commanded them to go out to the battle, though it was His. While they were marching out and began to sing praises, He fought the battle for them. If they had cowered in fear in the their walled city, it is very doubtful that God would have done anything. That is why fear is so destructive. It stops you from taking that tiny step of faith, the one that would be so life-changing for you.
  
  We work hand in hand with God. When a problem comes, we are to seek the Lord. This is the the art of our warfare. Often He will give us something to do, we obey Him, He fights for us, and we overcome. When we do, there is a immense blessing and increase bestowed on our life, and we respond by being thankful. Think of it as faith in action. This is walking with God.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that You lead me into all that You have for me. Give me a clear vision and lead me into triumph. Please bring the breakthrough Lord in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: For those participating in the Creation Photography weekly themes, here is this week's challenge: It seems like a good day to celebrate the heavenly home coming of my momma'will you all please pray with me that today is the day and she will be received home by our loving Father so that she will no longer be in any suffering. She needs to rest now. Psalm 103:13 ~ "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him" ~ Again, in the spirit of self care I have decided to take a week off here at RHM, work, and all responsibilities to allow myself uninterrupted moments for whatever emotions may pop up, so our next fun theme 'Father Moments' will be a two-week theme. Our themes are always open wide for creative interpretation and we encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photo this week is in honor of my mom. Though I did have a father, my mom was always the solid in my younger years and mostly raised us on her own playing the role of both mother and father many times throughout our childhood. She may be frail now but Thelma Dick will remain in my memory as the strongest woman I know - WE love you mom! Thank you for your continued prayers in behalf of our family. Stay blessed RHM family! Here is the link: Creation Photographers
  
  
  

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