2 Chr 20:1-30

The first part of this chapter recounts the threat to Judah by the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the people called Meunites. The armies were huge and they were blazing a path toward Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat had a decent size army but still chose to ask and plead with the Lord to take up the battle rather than trust his own strength. He had a history with the power of God and thus brought the people together to ask and pray to the Lord for relief. He called to the Lord based upon the answered prayers of Solomon and pleaded that the Lord do the same for him and his people. Jahaziel, the prophet, told Jehoshaphat and the people not to be afraid - the battle was the Lord's and He would prevail and save His people. He told them to stand their ground and instructed the armies to position themselves. The people responded, not with fear or with skepticism but with praise and thanksgiving.They rejoiced and praised God before the battle as if they had won it in advance. In fact, they did - God promised and delivered them. The enemies ended up fighting each other and killing each other even before the war was to be raged. The Judeans took the plunder from the dead armies and Jehoshaphat and his people praised the Lord again for His steadfastness and the victory over their enemies.

The battle truly is the Lord's and if He is with us - who truly can be against us. Prayers for the Rodgers family as they prepare to lay to rest their second infant daughter in two years. It seemed ill-fated from the start with Keira Eden given all the complications and struggles that they had with Hannah Joy but now she too is with the Lord. Praise for Renna's sister and her return home after  a trip to the ER.

Short week down in Delly next week since Thursday and Friday, I will be home and working out of Princeton.

Praise for today: O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 2 Chr 20: 6