INTRODUCTION
One of my favorite lines that I’ve heard from a parishioner came from a sweet, faithful lady who had followed the Lord for many years. When she would recount to me something that wasn’t quite as it ought to be, something troubling that needed sorting out, she would add, “Now, Pastor, I am not the fourth member of the Trinity.”
That is a good thing for us to remember for the Lord resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Our passage reminds us of these things.
SUMMARY OF THE TEXT
2 Chronicles 20:1-24
Jehoshaphat, king of Israel, was informed that a great multitude of Moabites and Ammonites were camped at En-gedi and soon to come up in battle against Judah (v. 1-2). Jehoshaphat feared, proclaimed a fast, and all of the cities of Judah gathered to seek the LORD (v. 3-4). Jehoshaphat stood amid this assembly in the house of the LORD and prayed, acknowledging that the LORD ruled over all kingdoms (v. 5-6). He recounted that God gave Israel the land promised to Abraham in which they built a temple for the LORD (v. 7-8). Jehoshaphat recalled the words of Solomon at the dedication of the temple: the name of God was in the temple. When God’s people sought Him there during times of trouble, He would hear and help (v. 9). Jehoshaphat then marked the particular threat from Ammon, Moab, and Edom, asking the LORD to judge them. For Judah had no strength against such a large invading army, indeed they knew not what to do. But their eyes were on their God as they stood before the Lord with their wives and their little ones (v. 12-13) . . .
YOUR NAME IS IN THIS HOUSE
It is not incidental that all the cities of Judah gathered in Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat stood in the house of the Lord because that is where God had placed His name. God made promises about that house. Jehoshaphat recalled those promises that Solomon marked in his day when the temple was dedicated.
“That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive” (1 Kings 8:29-30).
There remains a house of God . . .
BUT YOU SAID, LORD
Jehoshaphat ran into a predicament that all of God’s covenant people run into. God has made promises. But there are routine threats to those promises. Jehoshaphat played it just right when he prayed,
“Lord, we know not what to do. But our eyes are upon you.” The reply comes, “But Jehoshaphat, you’re the king. Aren’t kings supposed to know what to do?”
And so we discover that the wisdom of kings ultimately lies in them knowing where to stand, with whom to stand, and where to look . . .
THEN CAME THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD
Being downstream from both the industrial revolution and the technological revolution, we are tempted to think we can steer God. Sermons aim to teach the three easy steps to a healthier marriage, or the four simple principles for raising godly children. Practical Christianity is one thing. And paint-by-numbers morality is another.
All Judah stood before the LORD with their children. They did this while their enemies were just around the corner. And the pragmatic among the congregation were getting a little antsy. “Wait for it . . . wait for it . . . “ whispered the faithful. And the Spirit came upon Jahaziel.
That’s really the end of the matter. The Spirit comes upon us, and we are saved. He does not come, and we perish . . .
SO SHALL YE PROSPER
The Spirit does His work. And His work is ultimate. But it does not follow that we have nothing to do. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We must do so because it is God who works in us (Philippians 2:12-13). We’d like to break this down like it is an equation: we do 50% and God does 50%. But, God being holy—set apart—the breakdown is actually that God does 100% and we do 100%. Jehoshaphat knew that Judah had obligations in the face of adversity, so he said, “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”
We want to prosper. And there is only one way to do so. Believe God’s prophets . . .
WHEN THEY BEGAN TO SING
When God’s people believe His prophets, they can’t help but worship. Worship is our vanguard. You do have to wonder, if you’re honest, “But really, why the choir out front and not the soldiers?”
The answer is, you win every battle in the same way you won your eternal salvation. “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” Where were you when Christ determined to lay down His life for you?
While you very much must suit up for the contest and mind your duties. Do you think He needs you for this one? No, you need only to stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.