Good Morning.

Sometimes when my back is against the wall, when it seems a situation is hopeless, and people of lesser heart would be greatly worried. . . ha. . . I like to read great stories of faith--I like to know that trusting God really pays off--do you know what I mean? Yesterday, I referred to Jabez from 1 Chronicles in the Old Testament; today, I take you to 2 Chronicles, chapter 20. Please, get to a Bible, and read verses 1 through 30. It is an incredible story. So here's the scene--Jehoshaphat is made aware that he is about to be attacked by a 'vast' army. To say that his back was against the wall is an understatement, but what is his response? (I have taught it several times by staging a table with a hill and a valley, and then used green army men to represent the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir coming against Judah.) Jehoshaphat prays to God for help, and declares a fast--not exactly a tactic that would have appealed to General Patton, eh? Clearly, Jehoshaphat is a respected leader as verse 4 tells us the people heeded his words. From the temple courtyard, he stands and addresses his Commander in Chief, (God). Notice how he starts his prayer with adoration, and he then reminds God, (and the people who are listening), of how He has taken care of them up until this point. He concludes his prayer with, "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."

The Lord hears his prayer and sends a message through Jahaziel to the people: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. check out what God says next: For the battle is not yours, but God's. (verse 15) Jehoshaphat takes his strength from this word from God and further encourages the faith of his people in God's deliverance.

What does this experience of some man with a strange name have to do with you? He was a God-follower, and as such, he was assured that God would never leave or forsake him. Further, he was a leader--a huge influence on others--for the kingdom of God. Whatever came against him could be surrendered to God in prayer, and God would fight the battle. What are you up against, my friend, trying to fight, control or solve on your own, that God is saying, 'do not be afraid or discouraged. . . the battle is not yours, but God's.'

Could we stop right here, and pray? From Southern California to New York, down to Florida to Portugal, the Netherlands, to Kenya and South Africa, the Philippines and Japan---let us join together in prayer: Dear God, we know that there are those of us who are up 'against it' right now. . . nothing escapes Your notice, and nothing has caught You by surprise. So, God--won't You take our situations--the cancer diagnosis, the test results that will soon be given, the storm pounding Florida, the......? We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You, Lord. We will not be afraid, we will not let ourselves be discouraged. We take You at Your word--the battle is not ours, but Yours. Our trust is in You, sweet Lord. Come, move. . . In Your powerful name we pray, Amen

Meanwhile back on the hillside with Jehoshaphat. . . what happens? Well, as they are marching down to face the battle, Jehoshaphat appoints men to sing praises to God--(can you just imagine what the opposition was thinking as they heard them coming? Crazy Jews)--so sure of the victory God had promised them (verse 17). The opposing armies turned on each other and Jehoshaphat's men never had to fight. Oh, how I love this story of God's faithfulness! What was the response of J's people? Led by J, they went back into Jerusalem, went to the temple to praise God with musical instruments, giving Him the glory He deserved.

Once again, we see how different things are when we are operating in God's economy--God didn't just help J's armies, He caused the other armies to destroy each other so that J's men never had to fight the battle! Not much has changed in 3000 years--He is still willing--no, not just willing, but wanting to fight our (just) battles. Surrender to God whatever concerns you today; go ahead, He's big enough.

Man, I love a good story, especially when it shows the power of our God, wielded through the prayers of the faithful.

Now for some of you reading this, you are thinking--how did she know? Here's the wild part, I didn't know. . .but God did. You see, I had worked ahead on this particular Morning Briefing, and had it mostly done before I heard about the particular battles you are facing, my friends, my beloved family--before a phonecall, before a couple e-mails. . . but God had already inspired me to write about this amazing 'arrow for your quiver'. Please do not let it go unheeded. God's word does not return void. Let God fight your battles, my sister, my brother. . . Turn to Him, ask for His help and guidance, then trust Him to be your justifier.

With faithful prayers abounding,

Christine