Encouragement from the Lord

GOOD KING JEHOSHAPHAT was a ruler who had faith in the God of Israel. In this lesson, we learn of an attack against Judah by the children of Moab as well as Ammon, and the manner in which the king met this challenge. He “set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”—II Chron. 20:1-3

Jehoshaphat also prayed, saying, “O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? … and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?”—vss. 6,7

The king then sought divine counsel. The account states, “All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then upon Jahaziel, … a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. … Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.”—vss. 13-15,17

After hearing God’s promise of deliverance, Jehoshaphat humbly gave thanks and exhorted the Jews to trust God’s Word. After promising victory for the Jews, God then showed that he was faithful to keep his Word. Jehoshaphat had encouraged the people to trust God’s Word when they most likely felt fear.

The Jews’ actions showed that they responded by trusting God’s promises. Instead of hiding in their homes or in their trenches, they first praised God and then showed up singing on the battlefield. God then showed that he was faithful to keep his word, and a great victory was obtained. (vss. 21-27) With faith in God, even what seemed impossible became a reality.

“Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26; Mark 10:27) The fulfillment of God’s promises to Jehoshaphat demonstrates that we can also trust such divine assurances given to us. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (I Thess. 5:24) “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments.” (Deut. 7:9) “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”—I Cor. 1:9

God is faithful even at times when we are not. “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (II Tim. 2:13) How grateful we should be for the Heavenly Father’s steadfastness and unmerited favor towards us!