Mighty: God's Power Becomes Our Confidence

Intro: Week 3 of mighty. God’s Power Sustains, God’s power transforms. This week, God’s power becomes our confidence.

Hook: I know Joaquin.

1. Jehoshaphat's Prayer: Our First Action

King Jehoshaphat found out that his enemies had united. They formed a massive army that he knew they could not defeat.

Terrified so he seeks Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:5–12 ESV

And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 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. 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? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘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.’ And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 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.”

His prayer focused on God’s past faithfulness

Asked Him to intervene

In the midst of uncertainty he turns to God’s promises

Prayer is the first source of strength, not an act of last resort

2. Judah's Unity: Strength in Community

2 Chronicles 20:13–17 ESV

Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 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.”

He leads everyone to gather in prayer and worship

We do this every week, but I don’t know that we recognize that everyone is also fighting a battle!

God’s word was an anchor amidst uncertainty and it was bolstered by the encouragement from other believers.

3. Judah's Victory: Praise Before Battle

2 Chronicles 20:20-24; 29-30

2 Chronicles 20:20–24 ESV

And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “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.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 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. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.

the worshippers went before the army

they raised their hands to God before they raised a weapon

God wins the battle before them, they didn’t strike one enemy

2 Chronicles 20:29–30 ESV

And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

the fear of God rose around them and the kingdom had peace.

Throughout Scripture, God's deliverance from overwhelming circumstances points to Christ, who embodies the ultimate victory over sin and death. Just as Jehoshaphat trusted God for physical safety, we trust Christ for spiritual salvation and true peace in every storm.

We can have a supernatural confidence in whatever we face in life or death.