Altar'd Lives

Jehoshaphat: Musical Accompaniment for Worship 2 Chronicles 20:1-28 Let’s imagine for a moment that you were the military commander of a small nation. And let’s suppose that you had just learned that three neighboring countries were joining forces to attack your country with the goal of totally destroying you. Think about it. How would you react? What would you do? Would you gather up a few worship leaders who played instruments and go with them out to the front lines of battle and begin singing some praise choruses? Probably not. No. Definitely not. But that’s exactly what Jehoshaphat did! He was the king of Judah during the mid-ninth century B.C. when he learned of a plot by three warring nations that had teamed up to destroy God’s people. Obviously alarmed by the news, Jehoshaphat’s first action was to call the entire nation of Judah to prayer and fasting: …he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. (2 Chronicles 20:3b-4) As Jehoshaphat led the nation in crying out to God for help, he confessed the vulnerability they were feeling in the face of overwhelming enemies: ... “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (2 Chronicles 20:12b) True enough, they did not know what to do. But they knew where to look! Their eyes were fixed on the LORD. In the midst of distress, God responded to King Jehoshaphat’s cry for help. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel, one of the Levites, and he began to prophesy: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! 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. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' " (2 Chronicles 20:15b-17) As the people heard what God was saying to them through the priest, they responded in worship. Both the king and all the people bowed down in worship, and as they did so a song rose up from the hearts of the worship leaders: Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. (1 Chronicles 20: 19) Early the next morning, the musical praise service carried over as Jehoshaphat prepared to face the enemy. He put musicians at the front of their processional and directed them to sing to the LORD and to praise Him for His holiness. As they went, they sang a simple praise chorus: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:21b) What happened next could only be described as a God-sized miracle: As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. (2 Chronicles 20:22-23) God caused the enemies to turn and literally destroy each other! After the fighting was over, Jehoshaphat and his people didn’t see a vast army. Instead, they saw a valley full of dead bodies! All they had to do was to collect the plunder from a battle they had not even had to fight! So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value---more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. (2 Chronicles 20:25) Songs of praise had punctuated the entire event. Before the enemy attack, they had heard God’s voice. Their response: they praised the Lord! As they marched to meet their enemy, they sang of the splendor of God’s holiness. Finally, as they rejoiced in the Lord’s defeat of their enemies, they made their way back to Jerusalem for yet one more corporate worship service. The encounter which had begun in panic ended with an orchestra of praise: Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the LORD with harps and lutes and trumpets. (2 Chronicles 20:27-28) REFLECTING AT THE ALTAR: Have you ever thought of lifting praise to God in the midst of spiritual struggle as a battle strategy? As an act of faith, praise the Lord next time you sense the enemy is on the attack and prepare to see what God can do!