THe Battle is the Lords!

When Worship Wins the War

Scripture:
2 Chronicles 20 (various verses)
'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.' "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For 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." All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD. Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' " Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice. 20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:"Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."
As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

Observation:
Jehoshaphat stands and faces the gathered assembly and says: "If calamity comes...." I chuckle when I read this since it is never a case of "IF" but "WHEN". God's love is the motivation for His heart of care for us and His desire to take on our battles. Even as I write this the calls are coming in and the emails and coming in and it all has to do with people in calamity - nothing new there. Even as I write this our city is dealing with it's first homicide since 2001- a life taken over the weekend and then another shooting taking place late Sunday Night - Father's Day. We know that sin and selfish hearts are at work as well as issues of a deep spiritual nature that can only be resolved by God and His love and grace. Calamity comes to us all.
What do you do in times of trouble and calamity? What do you do when things are not going your way?
According to this passage we can learn:

1. Admit that you have no power to face the calamity on your own.
2. Cry out to God
3. You do not become afraid
4. You do not allow your heart to become discouraged
5. Take your position ( who you are in Christ - and who is has called you to be)
6. Stand firm and don't back down. Never give up!
7. You are to do something that makes absolutely no sense (worship in the midst of a war zone does not seem like a great strategy)
8. Partner with God to see the victory.

Application:
As I read this familiar story I was reminded of my need to worship, especially when God is directing my heart to praise Him. A battle is brewing and God calls me to worship Him - I am engaged in war and he summons me to come away with Him (He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies) and worship Him and be filled by Him. In this story the battle stops, but sometimes it continues on until victory comes - but I must be willing to praise Him and worship Him with all my heart, especially when He directs me. What victory could be won through my worship and that of the worship of my church family with me? Some people bicker concerning style of worship or length of worship - but in the battle zone, just worship. Get my heart open and connect with the God who brings confusion to the enemy in the place and time of worship.
When you obey God you release the power of His enduring love in your life and bring about answers to your calamity that you cannot fathom.
Let God lead you to a place of worship.
When we gather as a church we are not just singing songs but releasing praise to the One who is worthy and causing grace and victory to flow both to us and our community.
It is time to praise Him - Let's worship the Lord
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to trust you in all things that I face and to respond well to you when you summons me to a place of worship. Sometimes I am tired, concerned what others may think or simply concerned my worship won't be a blessing to you, yet give me the courage to respond with all of my heart, for you are deserving of my worship and the results can be simply victorious. Thank you O God for your love endures forever.
In my Savior's Name, Jesus,
Amen