2 Chronicles 20:5-6 – “And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 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. “

Today, a new day is dawning, and it is a day created by God to disclose His plan and bring us deeper into His Kingdom.   Some treasures and revelations are on the surface unveiled by time, but others have to be mined.   God’s immense love leads us into discovery, empowering us to live in His fullness.

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God, I was drawn to an old favorite account in 2 Chronicles 20.   That was expanded in Luke’s gospel and will challenge me to dig deeper.

The account of Jehoshaphat, when the Moabites, Ammonites, and others united to invade Judah, is filled with revelatory inspiration. Jehoshaphat was afraid, and to his credit, he did not try to hide or deny it.  He called the people together for a public prayer meeting.  His prayer is filled with golden nuggets of revelation and provides a followable example for us in difficulty.

In front of everyone, Jehoshaphat began with a question for God: “Are you not God in heaven?”  His prayer was a reminder to God of his faith and trust in God.   It was a reminder to himself and the people who God is.  It shifted the focus from imminent destruction to the Living God.   It provided a foundation upon which faith can rest.

He then asked, “Are you not our God?”   That was vital. This public question was an expression of honor and covenant with God—You are Our God!  We belong to You!

He detailed the problem and confessed: “We are powerless in ourselves against this invader, and we don’t know what to do—BUT what we know to do is focus on You!”   That’s our flaw too often—the wrong focus!

The prophet, Jahaziel, was moved by the prayer, and the Spirit of God gave God’s response – “Cool your jets; God has not failed you yet. Banish fear, and don’t try to figure this out. The battle is not yours… (But I’m the one being attacked). The battle is God’s!  You won’t fight this one.“    His instructions that many struggle with – Take your position, stand, and watch God be God!

Jehoshaphat, through a revelation and total submission, said, “Believe in Adonai, you God, and you will be confirmed; Trust in His prophets, and you will succeed.”   Trust and obey!   Through praise and singing, they saw God move.  Their simple but difficult obedience opened the door for the supernatural, and victory came.

In Luke 19:44, we see the power of revelation and the importance of being aware of God’s presence and guidance. Jesus told them that failure to recognize God’s hand in any situation (which leads to trying to do it in the flesh) results in devastation.   Visitation or devastation results from wrong focus and failure to follow God’s revelatory instructions!

Let’s be like Jehoshaphat and look to God, embracing our fears and inability in the natural and focus on God!   He is our battle fighter!  He is our deliverer!

Never give up, and keep looking up – God is God!