II Chronicles 17-20  These chapters cover the reign of Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa.  "And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David's earlier days and did not seek the Baals." 

Jehoshaphat honored the Lord. He not only followed the commandments himself, but he sent out teachers across the land of Judah to teach the people the ways of the Lord. The Lord blessed Jehoshaphat during this time. 

But, he was not perfect. He allied himself with Ahab, the evil king of Israel, by having his son Jehoram marry Ahab's daughter, Athaliah.  Then, Jehoshaphat went to war with Ahab against Aram.  Jehoshaphat insisted on inquiring the word of the Lord before proceeding into battle.  All of the "prophets" proclaimed success, except for one.. Micaiah.  He proclaimed disaster for Ahab. 

Jehoshaphat was foolish enough to go to battle anyway. He even wore his royal robes, making himself a target, while Ahab disguised himself.  Even so, Ahab was killed and Jehoshaphat was spared. 

Rebuked by the prophet Jehu, Jehoshaphat once again set his heart to seek God.  He set up judges and charged them to "be careful what you do, for the Lord your God will have no part in unrighteousness, or partiality, or the taking of bribes."  Their judgements were to be rendered according to the Lord's law and commandments, not man's.  Oh that we might see that today in our courts!

When the next challenge came, this time the Moabites and Ammonites coming to make war,  Jehoshaphat took his fears to the Lord. He gathered the nation together to fast and pray.  He led the people in prayer.. "O Lord, the God of our fathers, art Thou not God in the heavens? And art Thou not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Thy hand so that no one can stand against Thee... O our  God, wilt Thou not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude  who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee." ( 20:6-12) 

God answered this prayer in a powerful and miraculous way.  He told them, "do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's... You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on you behalf.." ( v15-17) 

Jehoshaphat and the people fell down and worshiped the Lord. The Levites "stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel, with a very loud voice."  And victory was granted.  The Lord Himself set up ambushes. The armies of Moab and Ammon destroyed each other.  Judah gathered the spoils of war for three days. 

I am reminded of the song.. "The battle belongs to the Lord."  This is a truth that we can stand on. This is our God, whom we serve. May we be wholehearted in our faith.. in the midst of every kind of battle that we may have to face.. knowing that He holds us in His Almighty Hands. 

Father in heaven, You are our God, who saves!  We exalt Your Name! We offer praise and thanksgiving to You, for You are greater than any army,  greater than any nation, and  greater than any enemy.  We do not know what to do.. in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation that we live in.. but the battle is Yours, and we will keep our eyes on You.  Keep us steadfast in Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.