When you are on the Front Lines.
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 2 minutes ago
- 5 min read
When did I first hear or read this story?
hmmm... I'm not sure.How long have I loved this story?
not sure about that either; it has been a long time!
How many times have I taught it? Quite a few - various settings, unique groups of people. In fact, I remember using little green army men to act out the story for my homeless friends in Long Beach, CA, complete with opposing hilltops - staging what happened so long ago.
More than a decade has passed, but I still see their faces, I know their street names.
But this morning as I was studying, I got a whole new take.
Could I have your attention please?
Always interested in mindfulness, challenging my thinking and intellect, I am interested in learning about the neuralplasticity of the brain: podcasts, books, etc. So, listen to this--of all things, Scripture is being found to literally change the anatomy of the brain--and it is visible on brain MRIs.1 Oh man, that is good stuff.
As I have continued to search out how to open new neural pathways, it seems that there is something I can do myself on a daily basis to improve my thinking - again, 'your attention? Write out Scripture, line by line.
Early this morning, for various reasons, I was undeniably pulled toward this incredible historical event--which, if we take a few minutes to consider, ought inform our thinking about God, prayer, faith and winning the battles we face in this life.
At zero dark thirty today, I grabbed my pen and began literally writing in my journal the 20th chapter of 2 Chronicles--, "And after this -" and I instantly thought, 'wait, after this... after what?' The link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Chronicles 20.1-30&version=ESV. And so I looked back at the preceding chapter which recorded that Jehoshaphat had established God as the priority for the nation--he had brought the people back to God! Is it any wonder that there was an immediate attack on the people of God after such a strong move, such a strong show on behalf of God? Of course not.
Of the many times I have taught this powerful story--powerful then and also for us now--I had never caught the first three words of the chapter--"and after this". But these words set the scene: they help us understand, that then as now - when the people of God speak out, stand strong, or take ground for the kingdom of God, an attack from the other side/the dark side is sure to follow.
In 2 Chronicles 20, here's the scene--Jehoshaphat is told that he is about to be attacked by a 'vast' army--Ammonites, Moabites and Meunites--three foes. To say that his back is against the wall is an understatement, but what is his response? Jehoshaphat prays to God for help and declares a fast, (as a respected leader, the people heed his words). From the temple courtyard, he stands and addresses his Commander in Chief, God. Notice how he starts his prayer with adoration and then recalls how God has taken care of the people up until this point. He concludes his prayer with,
"we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
Your attention, Friend? With this realization of our helplessness, we have a call to surrender. This is the time we decide we want God to truly take the lead in our lives... This is when we call out to him, surrender ourselves and transfer what is coming against us into his capable hands.
So, Jehoshaphat? The Lord hears his prayer and sends a message to the people:
“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.”
For the battle is not yours, but God's. (v. 15)
What are you up against, my friend, trying to fight, control or solve on your own?
Could we stop right here and pray? From Southern California to New York, from Florida to Portugal, the Netherlands, Nigeria and South Africa; the Philippines, India and Kuwait---let us join together in prayer, bringing our biggest needs to God.
Let's take the truths from Ezra's writing here in 2 Chronicles, apprehend them and apply them to ourselves in prayer.
Dear Lord,
Won't you take our 'three things'
--could be seemingly impossible work situations, heartbreaking family scenarios
--the cancer diagnosis,
--mounting pressure in a relationship,
--fear of ___?
--our heartache over children who have gone their own way, leaving You in the wake.
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you, Lord. We give you what we are trying to manage or fix; we will not be afraid, we will not let ourselves be discouraged. We take you at your word--the battle is not ours, but yours. Our trust is in you, sweet Lord.
Come, move. . . In your powerful name we pray, Amen.
Meanwhile back on the hillside with Jehoshaphat . . . what happens? Well, as his men are marching down to face the battle, Jehoshaphat appoints men to sing praises to God-- (can you just imagine what the opposition was thinking as they heard them coming? :Crazy Jews")-- certain of the victory God had promised them. The opposing armies then turn on each other, destroy one another, and Jehoshaphat's men never have to fight! Isn’t that crazy? Oh, how I love this story of God's faithfulness!
Several days ago, I had the privilege of praying for a young military man, headed to serve in the Middle East. We could insert him into this 2 Chronicles 20 scenario--God, what in the world? I really did not see this coming, but here I am in the hottest place on the planet, in all ways! I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on You.
Yes, there it is.
Once again, we see how different things are when we are operating in God's economy--God didn't just help Jehoshaphat's armies, he caused the other armies to destroy each other so that Jehoshaphat's men never had to fight the battle! Not much has changed in 3000 years. God is still willing . . . no, not just willing, but wanting to fight our (just) battles.
---->Surrender yourself to God, and then surrender whatever concerns you today; go ahead, he's big enough. What’s more, he’s good enough.
Man, I love a good story, especially when it shows the power of our God wielded through the prayers of the faithful. God wants to fight our battles ... will you let him?
Christine
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