Jehoshapat -- an Old Testament King of Judah. He was a good king with a heart for God. He wasn't perfect but you can see that he tries. One of the last events of his kingdom that we hear about is a battle, or rather, a non-battle. Jehoshapat was told that three other kings had joined forces and were plotting for war against him. Immediately, even though he is afraid, he calls for prayer and fasting. He immediately goes to God for a solution. He doesn't sit around and fret. He doesn't run away. He doesn't try to solve it on his own. He goes to God.
And his prayer is not just "Get me out of this mess!" Although I think that would be appropriate. No, his prayer is a prayer of praise for who God is and a prayer of rembrance for the promises that God has given His people. His prayer is a plea for help but more importantly it is a prayer of worship. In his fear, he worships.
And God answers his prayer with this:
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'
2 Chronicles 20:17
And God did fight the battle. The armies that were plotting together against Jehoshapat had turned on each other and by the time he arrived, there was no one left to fight. God had performed a miracle for them in answer to their prayers!
God told Jehoshapat that he would not need to fight but He also told him to GO.
We might not need to fight the battle but in order to see the deliverance of the Lord, in order to see the victory, we do have to show up to the battlefield!
We cannot watch God perform miracles if we do not sit in front of the stage!
Our battlefield is God's platform to show off His power, His glory! God wants to give us miracles, He wants to answer our prayers, He wants to bless us but what is it all worth if we don't come to the auditorium where He is performing?
I know that many of you are going through a hard time and I know the desire to crawl back under the covers and hide. But God is calling us out of hiding. He is calling us to come and witness His miracles. And He encourages us, "Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. I AM with you."
What an Awesome God!
