Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15. NIV.

2 Chronicles 20 tells the story of King Jehoshaphat and a bigger story than most of us will ever face. According to verse 1 and 2. After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazeon Tamat” (that is En Gedi). Wow…the enemy was between 35 and 55 miles away. These enemies were serious in their intent to destroy Israel.

The NLT version describes Jehoshaphat as “terrified”, the NIV says he was alarmed, while the ESV simply says he was afraid, but no matter how he felt, he did the right thing. He turned to the Lord. First thing we need to do when we are facing struggles, is turn to Him. He requested all of Judah join him in a fast to seek the Lord’s help. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. 2 Chronicles 20:12. ESV. My friends, isn’t it difficult, at times, to get our eyes off the great horde of troubles coming our way and keep them on the Lord?

Not only did Jehoshaphat seek the Lord, he brought in others to stand with him. As they prayed, someone else had the answer. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph in the midst of the assembly. Quite a background check! For some reason, God saw fit to send the answer–not through King Jehoshaphat, but through Jahaziel. The king was humble enough and discerning enough to know the word of the Lord, when it was given. And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: ‘Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. If we are walking in obedience, and difficulties come our way, we must lean on Him. We must trust He has a way to bring us through. Do you have trusted friends who know the Lord and His ways? You need them, my friend. Last week, I shared how I was struggling with some strong believers. It was humbling to share how I was feeling. But I knew they not only would pray, but would do so without follow up judgment. As I kept pressing in to the Lord myself, things broke open and I am back to “myself”. I admit, I had tried to “pray it through” myself, it took the help of others.

God continued to speak through Jahaziel some specific things for them to do. He wants to help us know what to do with our struggles as well. But for that to happen, we need to have listening ears. Stopping long enough to hear His still small voice or seek His wisdom through His Word. This time, for Jehoshaphat and the tribe of Judah, it was very specific. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. (2 Chronicles 20:16 ESV). Don’t you find that amazing! He told them exactly where to go. They still had to go down to the fight. Sometimes, admittedly, I want to bow out and pretend there is no fight. But I have found it never works. These folks knew exactly who they were fighting. We need to identify our enemy as well. Is it flesh? Is it a spiritual battle? Is it our emotions going awry? There are times I have had the Holy Spirit quietly, but firmly, show me that my struggle was a need to forgive a person or situation. So the enemy was myself!

Jahaziel continued: You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jersusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you. No matter what you are facing, you cannot let fear take control or become dismayed. Dismayed means feeling intense disappointment, shock, distress or discouragement. It is often caused by unexpected bad news or a disheartening situation. Things happen. I shared last week about my brother in law’s unexpected stroke. He is improving, but has some hard work ahead of him in rehab. It was disheartening and “dismaying” to see him in his current situation. But choosing to walk in faith that our God is working this out for their good is comforting.

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel with a very loud voice. Praise and worship have been struggle busters for me more times than I can count. What great tools they are when things are heavy and dark. I encourage you to try it when struggles come your way.

Jehoshaphat and his tribe followed God’s instructions. They found victory that day. I encourage you to read the entire story for yourself in 2 Chronicles 20. My friends, struggles and battles come our way. Take the time to seek the Lord in the small ones and in the larger ones. He has answers and direction. Do not turn away from Him, but turn toward Him. Humble yourself, if needed. Keep making Him bigger than your problems through praise and worship. Release your faith and lean into the power the Holy Spirit provides. Struggles can help your roots grow deeper in Him and His ways, if you let them!

I know there are some people whose struggles are more like Jehoshaphat’s story…out and out warfare. These tools and insights work for those situations as well. Our fellow brothers and sisters in persecuted lands face strong “struggles” everyday. Please take the time to pray for the persecuted church, they are part of our Family.

Father, I choose to thank you for every struggle I face. I thank you for your help and encouragement as we learn how to live strong confident and faith filled lives bringing glory to your name. In Jesus’ Name, amen.