Impossible God Vs. Impossible Odds (6)
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
This morning we are going to be talking about Jahoshaphat. It’s a story of great faith, but also a warning about who you align yourself too.
1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.
2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi).
The first idea is this: You will always be out numbered, out gifted, our resourced, and overpowered. We don’t have everything the enemy does. We, as people are very limited in ability, resources, and time. How we see things and what we do is vastly more important that what’s against you.
4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
I love Jehoshaphat’s response—It’s immediate prayer. Far too often we as Christians use prayer as a last resort, but for J it was an immediate response.
You can tell the size of faith people have by the time it takes them to enter into prayer over a given situation. When we pray we should be seeking God’s will. To find out his answers not to give him the answers we want. That’s why it was important that he called the assembly to fasting and prayer. Sacrificing and seeking. Putting God first in all things. J’s biggest flex was his desire for God.
We see this in his prayer
6 and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.
He then reminds God and the assembly of God’s power
7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
But the promise he relies on his V 9
9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’
If you’ve heard me preahc on prayer you heard me tell you the importance of relying on the promises of God. And even though this promise wasn’t spoken directly to J- He knew he could rely on it. Because his promises are yes and amen. His promises stand the test of time. He does this twice
11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit.
But then he gives the reality in his situation. It’s important to know how Powerful God is, but it’s also important to have a good estimation of our own skill. Many Christian over estimate themselves and underestimate God.
12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
We don’t know what to do next, but Lord our eyes are on you. Peter’s mistake when walking on water was removing His eyes off of God and those who do not keep their eyes on God are bound to sink the stink of their circumstances.
Then V 14
2 Chronicles 20:14 (ESV)
14 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel…
God’s response to prayer is always to show up. To sendhis Spirit.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
When we pray, we usher in freedom. We break away the captives. We stand in victory. We overcome the enemy. Daniel prayed for 21 days and victory was had by the angel who came to profess freedom. Jacob wrestled with Jesus and He professed freedom. Paul and silas sung and prayed in Jail and thr chains fell off, the prision doors opened, and a guard with his entire family was brought into salvation.
Freedom!
The answer:
2 Chronicles 20:17 (ESV)
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
God gives 1 statement and 3 directives.
It’s not your battle it’s God’s. We tend to take on responsibilities that aren’t ours.
3 Directives:
Stand firm
The idea of standing firm is all throughout the NT. It comes with the idea that all we have to do is not go backwards. It’s to stand firm. When trials comes stand firm. A time if advancement will come, but first you have to stand firm.
2. Hold your position.
God basically says stand firm twice because he knows the temptation to retreat and find comfort or to take control of the situation ourselves. Sometimes when we put our hands in God’s battle we prolong our suffering. Hold your position. Do not move.
3. Do not be afraid or dismayed.
Dismayed means disappointed. The Spirit of fear and disappointment can be overwhelming during times of battle—especially in the end where we start to wonder if it’s worth standing. If it’s ever going to end.
Your next season is right around the corner. You just have to stand firm. whether this storm.
18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.
There was a scientific study done by the national health institute shows that gratefulness and anxiety can be had at the same time. When you’re anxious or fearful find reasons to be grateful.
2 Chronicles 20:20 (ESV)
20 “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”
Then they sang praise
22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
We find on the later verses that it took 3 days for Judah to collect the spoils.