Today’s Reading:
2Chronicles 20: 14-17 (2Chronicles 30: 7-8)
“The Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. 15)He said, ‘Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: do not be afraid! Do not be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16)Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17)But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you.” (2Chronicles 20:14-17 NLT)
“Do not be like your ancestors and relatives (brethren) who abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and became an object of derision, as you yourselves can see. 8)Do not be stubborn, as they were, but submit yourselves to the Lord, Come to his Temple, which he has set apart as holy forever. Worship the Lord your God so that his fierce anger will turn away from you.”
(2Chronicles 30:7-8 NLT)
Before today’s passage, we read that the mighty armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites at En-Gedi declared war against King Jehoshaphat of Judah, a powerless but a king that fears God and is walking in the way of the Lord. Jehoshaphat gathered the people together and prayed to God to save him and his people (vv. 1-2). Certain elements stand clear in this prayer, he –
i) Committed the situation into the hands of the Lord, knowing fully well that it is only God that can save him and the nation of Judah;
ii) He sought the face of God because he knew the people belong to God and are the work of His hands;
iii) He understood the Sovereignty of God over all His creation, and Judah’s challenge;
iv) He praised the glory of God and took solace in the promises of God to save;
v) He professed complete dependence on God for the nation’s deliverance and not on their effort or understanding.
To be this kind of a leader that fears God today, Jehoshaphat’s prayer serves as a model – he completely focused on the power of God to save and deliver. We live in a world cursed by humanity’s sin but we always have the oasis of grace in our Lord Jesus Christ. As the enemies came on Judah unawares, God spoke to them through Jahaziel: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged … For the battle is not yours but God's (vv. 15-17). We may not physically fight the enemy, but every day we have to wrestle with the schemes and devices of the devil - temptation, the lust of the flesh, worldliness, spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm – principalities, pressure from rulers of the dark world, and so on (Eph. 6:12), who would that we rebel against God. Again, today as our nation faces national enemies of progress, we should trust in God’s faithfulness, for nothing happens without his knowledge, and our victory in Christ is sure and secure.
The Spirit of God dwells in us and as we ask for God’s help in the face of our challenges and struggles, he will help us, deliver us, and honour us (Ps. 91:15). As we ask for help, we should be patient and see the move of His mighty power. God will fight our battles, although it may not be on our terms, but according to His plan so that His Son, Jesus will be lifted up and His name glorified, even among the unbelievers (Ex. 13:17; Rom. 9:17). As He did with the enemies of Judah, and King Jehoshaphat, our triumphant Lord will make our oppressors, the enemies of our nation rise against themselves, destroy themselves and they will all perish. The Israelites experienced the salvation of God at the Red Sea (Exodus 9:16; Rom. 9:17). Our nation too will give all glory to the God of heaven. How do we allow God to fight this battle for us, so that we do not bring the wrath of God upon ourselves?
Recognise that we can only approach the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, and so believe and bow to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12);
We have to submit ourselves to the will, commands, and plan of God for our lives and nation for this season (2Chron. 30:7-8). We obey first, yielding our bodies, minds, will and emotions to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit must guide our steps and renew every part and sanctify us. Only then will we be able to temper our stubborn, selfish, and self-centred nature; the Spirit will cleanse every soiled area of our lives, and nation.
We must recognise our limitations and that the battle is the Lord’s. We should allow the strength, and power of God to work through our tears, pains, fears, and weaknesses.
We must make sure we are pursuing God’s purpose and interest, not just our own selfish and ungodly desires.
Ask God in His mercy, to give us victory over forces of darkness that have overwhelmed the nation, and also help us in our daily battles for survival. Pray all manner of prayers until our joy is full.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father, as individuals, the body of Christ, and as a nation, have mercy on us, forgive our sins, and the sins of our ancestors, especially sins linking us with dark powers, in Jesus name.
Holy Ghost fire begins to burn away every selfish and self-centred nature in my life, and family, in Jesus name.
My Father, lay your hands upon me and quench every rebellion in me in Jesus name.
O God arise and empower Your Church to fight and win the battle against sin, Satan, the lust of the flesh and worldliness, in Jesus name.
Father, thank You for granting us victory over powers of darkness that have overwhelmed our nation, in Jesus name.
Father, thank You for laying your mighty hand of healing upon our nation, in Jesus name.
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