As I spoke to a good friend of mine yesterday on the phone, she asked me what my plans were for the weekend. I let her know that I had intentions on writing the DistinctlyBlessed blog and recording the podcast. I confessed that for the first time since I’ve been writing the DistinctlyBlessed blogs from back in 2014, I did not know what to say to encourage readers and listeners for the month due to everything going on in the world. I was concerned about saying the wrong things out of my flesh that God may not want me to say, and finding a way to truly encourage a group of individuals during a time where my personal feelings and emotions have constantly fluctuated. After opening up and sharing this with my friend, she shared some encouraging words with me and sent me the link to a song by Will Regan and United Pursuit called “Not in a Hurry”.
As I began listening to the song and resting in the nearness of God I prayed. I asked God to open my ears so I could hear Him speak more clearly and open my eyes so that I could see from His perspective. I told God that I could not deliver a message this month without Him literally telling me what to say. When I picked up my bible and began reading, God led me to a story in the bible in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 NIV about a king by the name of Jehoshaphat.
In this particular story in the bible, the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites come together and decide to wage war on king Jehoshaphat. A few men go to Jehoshaphat to let him know that a vast army is coming against him and is already on the way. “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3 NIV). The people from every town in Judah all came together to seek help from the Lord.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, 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. 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ 10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? 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 on you.” 13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.
In this particular story in the bible, the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites come together and decide to wage war on king Jehoshaphat. A few men go to Jehoshaphat to let him know that a vast army is coming against him and is already on the way. “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3 NIV). The people from every town in Judah all came together to seek help from the Lord.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, 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. 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ 10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? 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 on you.” 13 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 upon Jahaziel and he stood up in the assembly.
15 He said: “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. 16 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. 17 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.’” 18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
15 He said: “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. 16 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. 17 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.’” 18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
Early the next morning, they left and as they set out on their journey, Jehoshaphat stood and said,
20 “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 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. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites 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. 24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 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. 27 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. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with praise. 29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
20 “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 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. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites 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. 24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 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. 27 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. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with praise. 29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
This month, I believe that God wants to remind everyone who reads this message that when alarmed, like king Jehoshaphat, it is always God who you should seek for guidance and instruction before making a decision to act. By calling together an entire community to fast, pray, and seek the Lord for help, Jehoshaphat received a word of instruction directly from God through Jehaziel to know how to take action moving forward. Once instruction was received and Jehoshaphat decided to follow the directions of God, Judah and the people of Jerusalem never have to actually face the vast army because the Lord sets out ambushes on their behalf to defeat their enemies. Their only assignment was to show up, take their positions, stand firm through singing and praising the Lord, and watch the Lord conquer their enemies for them. As an added bonus to their no-sweat victory, Jehoshaphat and all the men of Judah and Jerusalem were able to take an abundance of valuable loot that they found amongst all of their dead enemies without having to steal, kill or do anything illegal. To every reader, as you set off into the month of June, when alarmed by the veil that has been pulled back to expose masqueraded ugly truths throughout this world, God wants you to remember that the battle is not yours, it’s the Lord's (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV). Standing on that word, seek God for guidance, specific instruction, and help this month so that there is clarity in how to take your position and stand firm in all that you do.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You are a God of wonders. You’re a miracle worker. You’re a God who has the power to go before us and level mountains while breaking down gates and shattering doors in the face of our enemies (Isaiah 45:2 NIV). Thank you for your almighty power. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your everlasting love that can never be replaced. You are good, you are kind, you are holy, you are supreme, you are faithful to perform, you are ruler and King. We give your glory, we give you honor, and we give you praise today Lord. You’re our hero, you’re our champion, you’re our great defender, you’re our protector, you’re our safe haven, you’re our provider, you’re our friend. You are loyal and true. Thank you for being God. Thank you for being a part of our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you God! We come before you surrendering our flesh, surrendering our way, and surrendering our will. With fluctuating emotions and feelings at an all time high, we release them into your hands God and we ask for peace and rest on every side (2 Chronicles 20:30 NIV). Peace and rest in our hearts. Peace and rest in our spirits. Peace and rest in our minds. Peace and rest in our bodies. May peace and rest fall sending a fresh wind God. As we set out into the month of June we seek your wisdom, we seek your guidance, we seek your direction, we seek help, we seek your protection, we seek your strength where we are weak, we seek prosperity, we seek undefeat, we seek feasts to be prepared in the face of our enemies (Psalm 23:5 NLT), we seek you Lord, in all that we do, in all that we speak, in all that we see, in all that we hear. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Heavenly Father,
You are a God of wonders. You’re a miracle worker. You’re a God who has the power to go before us and level mountains while breaking down gates and shattering doors in the face of our enemies (Isaiah 45:2 NIV). Thank you for your almighty power. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your everlasting love that can never be replaced. You are good, you are kind, you are holy, you are supreme, you are faithful to perform, you are ruler and King. We give your glory, we give you honor, and we give you praise today Lord. You’re our hero, you’re our champion, you’re our great defender, you’re our protector, you’re our safe haven, you’re our provider, you’re our friend. You are loyal and true. Thank you for being God. Thank you for being a part of our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you God! We come before you surrendering our flesh, surrendering our way, and surrendering our will. With fluctuating emotions and feelings at an all time high, we release them into your hands God and we ask for peace and rest on every side (2 Chronicles 20:30 NIV). Peace and rest in our hearts. Peace and rest in our spirits. Peace and rest in our minds. Peace and rest in our bodies. May peace and rest fall sending a fresh wind God. As we set out into the month of June we seek your wisdom, we seek your guidance, we seek your direction, we seek help, we seek your protection, we seek your strength where we are weak, we seek prosperity, we seek undefeat, we seek feasts to be prepared in the face of our enemies (Psalm 23:5 NLT), we seek you Lord, in all that we do, in all that we speak, in all that we see, in all that we hear. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Scriptures to Feed Yourself & Reflect On:
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NIV (Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon)
Isaiah 45:2 NIV
Psalm 23:5 NLT
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NIV (Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon)
Isaiah 45:2 NIV
Psalm 23:5 NLT