Today’s Reading:
2 Chronicles 20:13-20
“Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord, Then the spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the son of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitant of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! 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 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. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitant of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high. So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and shall prosper.”
(2Chronicles 20:13-20 NKJV)
2 Chronicles 20 recalls a testimony to God’s Grace and Provision for King Jehoshaphat and his people. The caves surrounding the springs at En-Gedi served as a meeting place for Judah’s enemies and at the same time a hiding place for King David in his escape from King Saul. At this period, the descendant of Lot - the Moabites and Ammonites from the East of Jordan and the descendants of Esau – the Edomites on the South (2 Kgs 3), joined forces together to dethrone king Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicle 20:10, 22). In this battle at Acescent of Ziz, before the Wilderness of Jeruel – En-Gedi, the Temple singers and not the army led Judah (v.21). This is because of Jehoshaphat’s dependent trust, and faith in God. And this paid off with God’s blessings, abundant of spoil and peace for Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (vv. 25-27, 30).
The state of our nation today, is hopeless and clueless. Individually, collectively, as society, as church, as nation, as people in the diaspora, we have to seek the face of God with fasting, prayer of penitence and so on. Up till now, we are being oppressed, massacred, persecuted, denied of rightful living with no good health care, no good roads. We are being starved of funds, food and so many wicked and devilish acts one cannot imagine. The culprits move about freely in the nation and the righteous, those that serve as threats are being harassed and maltreated. We are surrounded by multitudes of stranger’s children and the army. Many have died, a lot have committed suicide, and many are contemplating committing suicide. A lot have compromised their salvation.
The nation is at the peak end of dark tunnel and we are supposed to cap our efforts with praises and thanksgiving to God because there is light at the end of the tunnel. “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of the great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” the Lord has not brought us this far to put us to shame. He will be faithful to us to the end. Also, the blood of our martyred brethren will not be in vain. It will be used to populate the Kingdom of God.
What do we do?
Give your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ, if you have not done so or rededicate your life to God.
Forgive those who have offended you. Pray for them and pray for perishing souls.
Deal with your weaknesses and let go of anything that may hinder your walk with God.
Seek to be a friend and partner with the Holly Sprit.
Wherever you are, as individuals, family, society, or body of Christ, boldly host the banner of Christ with continuous praises, shouts of joy and thanksgiving for victory won for us by the Lord (v. 19-21)
Be your brethren’s keeper with your time, being generous with your substance, and do whatever you need to do to sustain your neighbour, especially your brethren of the household of God. This is not the time to hoard anything.
Be strong in the strength the Lord supplies and encourage the faith of weaker brethren.
Ask for power, strength, anointing and boldness to proclaim the Gospel of Peace as never before
Patiently hold your peace and aspire for the solid food of the spirit for spiritual growth.
Be flexible according to the truth in the Scriptures, be teachable.
Remember, It is the Lord’s battle and He will fight for us; also believe the Scriptures, the prophets and we all will prosper. By the mighty power of God, we shall see our desires upon the enemy of God. By the power, the grace and the mercy of God, we shall enjoy the blessings, the bountiful spoils and peace of our land once again, in Jesus name.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father thank you for you are in control of the affairs of men here on earth and you are a just Judge, in Jesus name.
Thank You for answers to our manifold prayer requests and supplications, in Jesus name.
Thank you for You are the God of all flesh, and nothing is impossible with, in Jesus name.
Grant me Your power to boldly speak the truth about Jesus Christ, in the right place, at the right time, and within the right gathering in Jesus name.
Help me to mortify the flesh and empower me to live a holy life for you, in Jesus name.
Holy Spirit overshadow my life, my family and environment with Your fire and power, in Jesus name.
Father, ignite Your Spirit of growth in the body of Christ, in Jesus name.
God arise, purify our land, purge the lives of your ministers so that they can offer unto You their service in righteousness, in Jesus’ name.
God arise, and raise selfless leaders for our nation, in Jesus name.
Father, use the situation in our nation to propagate Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ name.
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