«And he said, ‘Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s'» (2 Chronicles 20:15).
The enemy multitude was countless: Ammonites, Moabites, and Assyrians had plotted against Jehoshaphat and his kingdom. «Standing in the temple court before his people, Jehoshaphat poured out his soul in prayer, pleading God’s promises, with confession of Israel’s helplessness. . . . ‘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.’ «—Prophets and Kings, ch. 15, p. 199.
«Jehoshaphat was saying in effect, ‘We are utterly helpless and at the mercy of our enemies unless Thou dost come to our rescue; we know not which way to turn for help, but we are looking to Thee.»—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 264. Come close to God in your moments of anguish or fear; He will never disappoint you. «At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan’s whole host trembles. . . . And when angels, all-powerful, clothed with the armory of heaven, come to the help of the fainting, pursued soul, Satan and his host fall back, well knowing that their battle is lost.»—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, ch. 66, p. 345.
Jehoshaphat cried out for justice and protection; the people of Judah were being attacked and were powerless to defend themselves against an overwhelming number of attackers. How important it is to go to the temple to raise our prayer! It isn’t that God doesn’t hear us in other places, but there is a special encounter of the soul with God in the dwelling dedicated to His name.
Immediately after Jehoshaphat prayed in the temple, a prophet who is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible, Jahaziel, appeared and brought the message found in our text today. His prayer had been heard. We need leaders like Jehoshaphat who, although they may err, acknowledge their sin, repent, and persist in prayer, consecration, fasting, and trust in God.
«We are to remember that human beings are fallible and erring, and that He who has all power is our strong tower of defense. In every emergency we are to feel that the battle is His. His resources are limitless, and apparent impossibilities will make the victory all the greater.»—Patriarchs and Prophets, ch. 15, p. 202.
God will fight your battles, and God always wins. Turn your personal battles into God’s battles today.
Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023 “DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate