How To Trust God

2 Chronicles 20:1-30

verse 20: “…put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” (ASV)

If someone were to look at America through the quotes of its “fathers”, its mottos, and even its currency, the phrase “in God we trust” (first use in 1864 on a 2 cent coin) would crop up- philosophically, if not literally. Yet, looking at our society, it's pretty clear that we DON'T trust in God; if we have some trust, it's not the right kind, or not the right God to trust in. Some trust in riches, power, family, etc. There are so many problems and doubts we face in our lives that could be eliminated if we simply trusted in God, the way He wants us to. What is the nature of that trust? What do we have to trust concerning God?

Like everything else, on this subject, God has given us very much! We have God's Truth, Patience, and Justice to trust in.

Notes on 2 Chronicles 20

Background - 2 Chron. 19:1-3; 1 Kings 22:48-49

2 Chronicles 19:1–3 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you. Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.”

1 Kings 22:48–49 Jehoshaphat made merchant ships to go to Ophir for gold; but they never sailed, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion Geber. Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat would not.

If God was reaching out and trying to make amends with wicked kings in this time, then we have to appreciate that He would reach out to Jehoshaphat as well.

Jehoshaphat made many compromises, which ultimately destroyed his family. Yet, he had some sterling moments that we can appreciate, and try to emulate.

Preparations Against A Massive Threat (1-4)

“A great multitude”

An intimidating threat. It means that Jehoshaphat knows he must do something.

“Jehoshaphat feared… set himself to seek the LORD”

He feared, but he did not let this fear push him to seek help elsewhere.

Moreover, he “turned his attention” (NASB) to seek the LORD.

“Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD”

This pulled the kingdom together for a good cause.

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer in the Assembly of Judah (5-12)

“are you not God in heaven?”

Rhetorical question - begs the answer “YES” - total confidence.

“descendants of Abraham” - Jehoshaphat remembers the PROMISES - 2 Chronicles 6:28–31

2 Chronicles 6:28–31 “When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men), that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.

“will you not judge them?”

Jehoshaphat knows that God will provide protection.

“we have no power” - a strong, humble admission! 2 Chron. 14:11

2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”

God’s Inspired Answer and Judah’s Praise for the LORD (13-19)

“The Spirit of the LORD… in the midst of the assembly.”

God speaks directly to his people through Jahaziel.

“Do not be afraid” Mark 4:40, 5:36

Should be familiar to us as Christians. Fear is the antithesis of faith.

Mark 4:40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

“the battle is not yours, but God’s” Deuteronomy 20:2-4

“You will not need to fight”

It would take a lot of trust to follow up on this, but the words hearken back to the ancient promise that God has made to his people Israel.

Deuteronomy 20:2–4 So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

“bowed before the LORD, worshiping…stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel...”

They take time not to celebrate, or even to mill about in waiting. They spend their time praising God together.

Jehoshaphat’s Encouragement (20-21)

“rose early in the morning”

“Believe… and you will be established… you shall prosper.”

“he appointed those who should sing to the LORD…they went out before the army...”

“Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever.”

Psalm 136

The Victory of the LORD (22-24)

“When they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes...”

“…they were defeated.”

The enemies were clashed against each other.

Was this a miracle? It is not necessary that it was.

Nonetheless, it is astounding that God, after all this time with a rebellious people, would do this.

The Treasure Given through Trust (25-30)

All they had to do was trust God.

“The LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies”

“the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard...”

Trust God's Truth

God has set forward powerful truth. Romans 1:16

Every dispensation has had agents that God has used to tell Man the truth about life (Patriarchs, Mosaic Law, Prophets, Jesus, Apostles)

Now, we have the Word, for us a record of the truth of God.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, both to the Jew first and to the Greek.

“power”: “dunamis” = dynamite!

If we deny His truth, we deny Him!

John 3:16-19 – to accept His truth, we must love it. 2 Thess. 2L10

2 Thessalonians 2:10 and in all deception of unrighteousness among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

1 John 5:9-10 – Can we claim faith in Christ without following what He says?

We can't make a claim to truth when we deny God's truth

Psalm 50:16-17 – Some think they are worthy to proclaim God's truth, yet they cry “legalism!” when shown the truth of obedience.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Trust God's Patience – 2 Peter 3:8,9,14-18

Time means nothing to God (8)

We often try to place God in a human box. 1 Peter 5:6-7

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Our “rules” don't apply to Him. While God does limit Himself in some ways, anything is possible with Him.

God has time and beyond to know us. (Linear with us; all observable by Him)

God's patience has a purpose (9)

The goal – REPENTANCE!

It is plain in scripture that this goal will NOT be accomplished, at least as far as the totality of Man. Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter in through the narrow gate; because wide is the gate, and broad is the way which leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in through it. (14) How narrow the gate, and confined the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it!

Yet, God in His mercy and grace has a patience that we can't understand, but work to emulate. 1 Timothy 1:16

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

We are all “works in progress” (14-18)

Many cast doubt on their salvation, but we must have assurance of grace.

Many fret about unknown sins, but we must trust that God will make these known to us.

Trust God's Justice

There is justice for the wicked

This is not an enjoyable justice. Ezekiel 18:23

Ezekiel 18:23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?

There is justice coming that can be avoided if the wicked repent. 2 Timothy 2:14-26

2 Timothy 2:14-26 - If we fail to teach others, we are not fulfilling our responsibility as Christians!

There is justice for the righteous- 2 Timothy 4:6-8

So much by the Apostles concerning the hope we are meant to have.

Our hope us based upon our faith. Acts 4:19-20

Acts 4:19-20- This hope should drive us to SHARE that hope!

I will not always get the justice that I desire. Romans 12:19-21

Romans 12:19–21 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.