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THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S. 2 CHRONICLES 20. The 1 st Revival under the Kings. 2 Chron. 14-16 Good King Asa was fully committed to the LORD all his life. All Judah entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul—wholeheartedly.
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THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S 2 CHRONICLES 20
The 1st Revival under the Kings • 2 Chron. 14-16 • Good King Asa was fully committed to the LORD all his life. • All Judah entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul—wholeheartedly. • It was precipitated by a million man army from Cush (Ethiopia) being struck down by God.
The 2nd Revival under the Kings • 2 Chron. 17-20 • Jehoshaphat followed his father, good king Asa. • He reigned 25 years (from age 35 to 60).
2 Chron. 17:3 • “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed.”
2 Chron. 17:4 • “He did not consult the Baals, but sought the God of his father… • …and followed his commands….”
2 Chron. 17:5 • “The LORD established the kingdom under his control…”
2 CHRON. 17:6 • “His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; • … furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.”
The Revival • He sent out Bible teaching teams. • “They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.” 2 Chron. 17:8-9
2 Chron. 19:3 • He had his problems, but… • Jehu the seer said, “There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”
2 Chron. 19:9 • He appointed judges in the land. • “He (Jehoshaphat) gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.””
But there was a situation that came up that could have destroyed him.
1. THE PROBLEM • 20:1-2 “A vast army is coming…” • A blessing in disguise. James 1:2
2. THE PRAYER • 20:3 “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD…” • Prayer was not a last resort , but their first thought. • Dr. Adrian Rogers---”Many of us want to use God as the spare tire rather than the steering wheel. We wait till we have a spiritual blowout, then see if God will rescue us.”
3. THE PROMISE • 20:14-17 “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” • “Stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you.” • “The LORD will be with you.”
4. THE PRAISE • 20:18-19 They “fell down in worship before the LORD.”
WHAT HAS CHANGED? • No visible difference. • The vast army is still coming. • Judah is still weak almost helpless. • Nothing has changed, but everything has changed.
1. THE PROBLEM FACED • 20:20-21 • “Early in the morning they left…” • What if they hadn’t obeyed? • Will you shrink back in fear or step out in faith?
2. THE PRAYER ANSWERED • 20:22-24 • As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes…. • Ammon and Moab destroyed and annihilated the men from Mt. Seir. • After that they destroyed each other. • “They saw only dead bodies lying on the ground.”
3. THE PROMISE PERFORMED • 20:25 • It took 3 days to carry off all the plunder. It was a 10 mile hike uphill back to Jerusalem so it took a while.
4. THE PRAISE OFFERED • 20:26-30 • It was renamed the Valley of Beracah (Praise). It is still called that today, Bereikut • They returned joyfully. • They entered the temple with harps and lutes and trumpets.
Problems of life • We are either in the middle, or • Coming out, or • Going into a battle.
Peter stepped out of the boat. • 3 Choices— • 1. Sink • 2. Swim • 3. Look to Jesus
What will you do? • Sink? • Swim? • Look to Jesus and God will get the glory.