Battle Belongs to the Lord

A Call to Prayer by: Patricia Bootsma

“Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 

2 Chronicles 20:15

Five generations after David, King Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, faced the formidable armies of Moab, Ammon, and Mt. Seir.  Outnumbered and doomed to destruction, King Jehoshaphat led the people of Judah in an admirable response.  He humbled himself, called a fast, and gathered all to pray and seek the face of the Lord, saying, “O our God, will You not judge them?  For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

The prophet Jahaziel proclaimed the battle belonged to the Lord and the King led the people in an unusual battle position.  They bowed before the Lord blessed Him, worshipped, and positioned those who played stringed instruments and blew trumpets as the singers were sent to go before the army to sing and proclaim, “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.” In response, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy armies and they were defeated. The story ends with, “Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave them rest all around.” 

   The lesson of this true story should not be lost in the annals of Israeli history.  The same God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Jehoshaphat is alive and well today, fighting for His people.  More than U.S. diplomacy, the Abraham Accords, and ammunition that may or may not come from allied nations, the God of the Universe is the defender of Israel. May we, as well as Israel, take our battle position, look up, pray, worship, and proclaim, “Our eyes are on You because the battle belongs to the Lord.” 

Prayer: Lord, we know not what to do, but our eyes are on You. We worship You.