Have you ever been in a desperate situation? Unsure of where to turn or what to do? Maybe you feel like that now; you’re facing a situation that seems impossible. Maybe, like me, you look at the current state of our country broken, knowing that the only One who could turn things around is God.
King Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, felt the same way. Judah had many mighty enemies, some of which were rallying against them. The people of Moab, Ammon, and mount Seir were threatening Judah. It seemed like an impossible situation. There was no way Judah could defeat these hostile armies. But King Jehoshaphat knew the Lion of the tribe of Judah; he feared the Lord and declared a fast throughout Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:12 shows Jehoshaphat desperate cry out to God:
“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (bold text added).
I can imagine a broken king standing in the midst of his people–bags under his eyes, tear stained garments, bloodied knees from staying in prayer. King Jehoshaphat knew where to find help. Humble before Almighty God Jehoshaphat made his plea. “I cannot win this battle Lord. I don’t know what to do. But, our eyes are on You!” King Jehoshaphat knew how to humbly, yet boldly, approach God. Did God hear his plea?
King Jehoshaphat’s prayer was mightily answered. By word of Jahaziel, he stressed to King Jehoshaphat that the battle was God’s. In 2 Chronicles 20:17 Jahaziel says to King Jehoshaphat, “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.” Wow! Not only did the Lord tell King Jehoshaphat that the battle was His, but that the army of Judah would not even have to fight! King Jehoshaphat didn’t merely take God for his word, but he and all of Judah and Jerusalem “fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord” before the battle even occurred (2 Chron. 20:18). That is saving faith: worshipping before the battle is won!
King Jehoshaphat and the people rose up the next morning and went out to battle against the armies of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, and praised the Lord! The armies of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir began to slay and destroy one another. When Judah made it to the watch tower, the saw that they won the battle without even physically participating; they may have not participated physically, but they did participate on their knees–which is the best way to engage in battle.
So I must ask, what’s the battle you’re facing today? Are you engaging in battle on your knees? Are your eyes upon Him? You may think your situation is impossible! I look at our nation and often times, I think the same thing, BUT GOD! He is able to do exceeding, abundantly more than we could ask or think (Eph. 3:20). So today I’m praising the Lord, fighting on my knees, and saying, “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You!” Will you join me?
KNOW(N) Ministries 