Praise & Worship Conquers Fear

Opening Scripture & Introduction

2 Chronicles 20:1 NKJV

1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.

Jehoshaphat was the Great-Great-Great Grandson of King David. He was King over the southern kingdom of Judah and assumed kingship at the age of 35. 2Chronicles 20:32-33 says this about Jehoshaphat: “ And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not directed their hearts to the God of their fathers”.

What is interesting is what happened before the Moabites and Ammonites came to battle against him and the people of Judah. In the previous chapter, after he establishes an alliance with Israel and goes int battle with them, Jehoshaphat is visited by Jehu and rebuked for “helping the wicked and loving those who hate the Lord”. So Jehoshaphat proceed to reform Judah, setting right those things that were not conducive to a Godly nation (appointing Levites, priests, and judges). Primarily aa judicial reform, ensuring right judgement of the people and removing partiality.

Message

2 Chronicles 20:1–4 NKJV

1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

Jehoshaphat was in fear and his response is wonderful, he immediately proceeds to pray and fast. And he didn’t just do it on his own, he called together everyone under his authority. Standing in the midst of the people he:

Acknowledges the power and sovereignty of God (v.6)

Reminded God that He prepared and gave the land to them and promised to protect them (v.7-9)

Announced the problem (v.10-11)

Cried for help (v.12)

Why would he be fearful? He had plenty of resources. Chapter 17 speaks of his army, mighty men of valor, that were in Jerusalem:

Adnah - 300,000, Jehohanan - 280,000, Amasiah - 200,000, Eliada - 200,000, and Jehozabad - 180,000. He had a little over 1 million men, in addition to those that he placed in the fortified cities throughout all of Judah (2Chron 17:19). It appears evident that the armies against him were bigger than his (2Chronicles 20:12).

What He had was a history not of victory in himself but in God.

In 2 Chronicles 13, his grandfather Abijah , king of Judah at that time, and his 400k soldiers went up against Jereboam, the king of Israel, who had 800k soldiers. Abijah considered Jeroboam’s army a “great multitude” but because Abijah submitted to the Lord, they defeated Israel.

In 2Chronicles 14, his father Asa had an army of 580,000 men of valor and went up against the Ethiopians who had an army of a million men. Asa called on the Lord and the Lord struck the Etheopians and they were ultimately defeated. Judah carried away the spoils.

In 2Chronicles 18, Jehoshaphat disguised himself as Ahab, the king of Israel, so as to confuse Syria. But when the Syrians saw Jehoshaphat, thinking it was Ahab, they pursued him. He called on the Lord and the Lord saved him.

And in the midst of this gathering and unification of Gods people, God answers:

2 Chronicles 20:14–17 NKJV

14 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 sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants 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. 16 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. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of 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 after this they all bowed before the God and began to give Him praise and worship. And early the next morning they went out to fight, but this time not with swords and spears but with worship. And it wasn’t until they opened their mouth to sing and give praises to God, that the power of the living God began to move, causing the armies that assembled against them to take out each other. When Judah looked there was not one standing and they proceeded to take the spoils of the battle. And it was more than they could carry away, taking them three days to gather. On their way back home they continue to worship and when the kingdoms of those countries heard that the Lord fought on their behalf, they were fearful. As a result, the bible says, Judah saw peace.

Conclusion

What are you experiencing that has brought about fear, anxiety, unease, lack of confidence, or uncertainty? Whatever it is that you are facing remember this, that God is not just with you today He has already seen your future and working it out. Don’t assume that the battle is yours to fight. Whatever the battle is, follow Jehoshaphat’s lead and turn immediately to God. Pray, fast, and worship. Get direction from God. And when He says to leave it alone, leave it alone and continue to give Him worship and watch Him do what only He can do: win! And then you can collect the spoils of a battle that you never had to fight.

Because of Christ we have won the greatest victory of them all, and didn’t have to lift a finger for that either. Oh death where is your sting. Oh grave, where is your victory.

The New King James Version Chapter 15

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.