They knew that the army was coming against them.
So they went to their leader and told him.
And the leader responded like any BELIEVING leader would respond,
"Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD...".**
And then
"The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek HIM".**
Hmm.
The first response was to be ALARMED.
But Jehoshaphat didn't stay there,
for he then went to THE LORD.
What do you do when you are ALARMED?
Do you IMMEDIATELY REACT and BE ALAMARED
or do you RESPOND by going to the
LORD and wait for HIS RESPONSE?
"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 on Jahaziel son of Zechariah~
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.... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged.
Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you'."**
Hmm.
And then what did they do next,
"Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.
Then some...
stood up and praised the LORD the GOD of Israel,
with a very loud voice".**
They PRAISED THE LORD.
They BELIEVED HIS PROMISES.
They placed their FAITH not in the vast armies before them,
but in their
BIG GOD.
They were relentless.
Now that was in old testament times,
before GOD fulfilled HIS PROMISE that HE would send HIS SON.
So here we are today,
no longer in old testament times.
This happens or that happens.
And then you happen.
You are ALARMED,
because you didn't plan for _________ to happen,
but it did.
And what do you do?
You RESPOND~
"Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The LORD is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD.
And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS"*
And IT HAPPENS
because
JESUS ALWAYS HAPPENS when
you REJOICE IN THE LORD.
So, you NEVER STOP REJOICING.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice..."
And then IT HAPPENS,
because
JESUS ALWAYS HAPPENS
when you REJOICE IN THE LORD~
"And the God of peace will be with you"
(Philippians 4:4-9).
Hmm.
So what happened to Jehoshaphat and his people~
"The fear of GOD came on all the surrounding kingdoms 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".
**(2 Chronicles 20).
Therefore,
don't you just want to
"REJOICE"
(listen to the song below)
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