When Fear Strikes - Start Singing

2 Chronicles 20:1-37

Jehoshaphat may have thought that after learning the hard lessons of being connected to the world (through Ahab) and not listening to God and nearly getting killed-that everything would be okay. He had responded to God\'s discipline through Jehu the seer and had instituted changes in his government to ensure that everything was done with God\'s justice and character in mind.

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But that was not the case. It wasn\'t that God was further disciplining him, but that it was an opportunity for God to move through him in ways he never would have imagined. Sometimes in our lives we have dedicated ourselves to God, we have been open and responsive to the work of the Spirit in our lives-changing us into God\'s image. We too can be lulled into the idea that everything will be okay then.

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Often though, the call of God and the work of God in our hearts is just a prelude to Him working through us in unimaginable ways.

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John 14:12 \"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I? am going to the Father.

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Often those greater works stretch us beyond our abilities to comprehend. Tonight let\'s look at one of the ways God stretched Jehoshaphat and wins a tremendous victory through it. We\'ll also learn some valuable lessons in what to do when trouble strikes big time.

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1 - 4

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Jehoshaphat gets word that the enemy is coming up from the south and has already reached Engedi, a beautiful refuge up from the Dead Sea and a place where David hid from Saul (1 Samuel 23:29).

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What is your first reaction when someone brings news that catastrophe is poised to strike? Jehoshaphat was afraid-Step 1: Be honest. He didn\'t panic and either run screaming or shuffle around to find a solution himself. It is okay to be afraid. Sometimes we think that Christians are to be fearless without a care in the world.

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2 Cor 4:8-11 We are? afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but? not forsaken;? struck down, but not destroyed; 10? always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,? so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

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Luke Skywalker spoke with bravado to Yoda, his trainer, saying \"I\'m not afraid.\" Yoda replied darkly, \"You will be. You will be.\"

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David wrote \"I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast.\" (Psalm 22:14).

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So what did Jehoshaphat do with his fear? He did two things:

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1.????? He \"set his face to seek the Lord\"

2.????? He proclaimed a fast

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The effect of this was that all Judah gathered together, not to panic together but to seek the Lord together. What do we learn? He focused his honesty to the Lord and signaled to those around him that this was important-and they rallied to the cause.

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When we are hurting and afraid do we seek every other means of comfort and answer available before we seek the face of God? Notice he \"set\" his face. This wasn\'t a momentary prayer aimed at heaven, but a dedicated time of seeking God. Secondly, do we ask for the assistance of others in prayer? So many times when I find out that someone has really gone through difficulty I ask them \"why didn\'t you tell us so we could pray and support you?\" Many times the answer is \"I just didn\'t think of it\" or \"I didn\'t want to bother anyone.\"

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James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

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We must be honest, we must seek God\'s face, and we must enlist our brothers and sisters to join us in that effort.

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So as the people gather, Jehoshaphat leads them in prayer.

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5 - 12

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Jehoshaphat\'s prayer declared several important things:

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1.????? God is in charge of the situation, not matter how ungodly it may look like (6).

2.????? God is more powerful than any situation that stands against us (6).

3.????? Reliance on God\'s promises and past victories are central to faith building (7-9)

4.????? One of those promises is access to God in times of trouble (excerpted from Solomon\'s prayer at the dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 6).

5.????? This current situation is not because of our disobedience, but we as a nation showed kindness to these people, which they rewarded by invading us

6.????? We are powerless, you have all the power

7.????? \"We don\'t know what to do, but our eyes are on you\"

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13 - 17

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This is by far one of the most encouraging sections of Scripture to be found. I want to point out something here. Jahaziel was descended from Asaph-David\'s worship leader. This becomes key in what Judah actually does in this battle.

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Notice what he says: \"don\'t be afraid and do not be dismayed.\" Does this not remind you of Jesus words to the disciples as they tossed in the Sea of Galilee? \"Be of good cheer, it is I. Do not be afraid.\" (Mark 6:50). It\'s what he said to the ruler of the synagogue whose daughter had just died (Mark 5:36). It is what he said to Simon who had just caught the biggest catch of fish in his life (Luke 5:10), and it is what he says to us when we face peril:

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Luke 12:4 And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. NKJV

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They were instructed to go to the battle, not to fight, but to watch \"the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.\"

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Of course this pictures the ultimate enemy that comes against us-death. It pictures the battle Jesus fought for us. We did nothing but watch God\'s salvation through Jesus on the cross. We did not need to fight in that battle. And even now, \"if God be for us, who can be against us?\" (Romans 8:31)

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18 - 19

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The response is deep praise and humility-not arrogance and pride.

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20 - 23

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What is the call to action for the people? \"Believe.\" John 6:29

\"This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom? he has sent.\"

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The people simply gave thanks to God for his love. The singers went before the army-worship before battle-songs instead of spears. And look what happened: the enemies did themselves in!

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24 - 30

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The results of the \"battle\"? Spoil, praise, and fear. As we let God fight our battles while we focus on His great love, He provides for us what we need-so that we can respond with even more worship and awe for the One who loves us. In the end, Jehoshaphat experienced \"quiet\" (vs 30).

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Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. NKJV

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31 - 34

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Despite the victories, despite the spoil, despite the praise and despite the peace-the people had not \"set their hearts upon the God of their fathers.\" This leads to problems later. Our response to God\'s provision for our lives needs to be further devotion and dedication.

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God wants to purify us more so He can use us more. As He brings you to battles and wins victories over sin and the enemy-allow Him to further cleanse you so you can do even more for Him!

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35 - 37

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We talked about this a little last week. Jehoshaphat apparently had not had enough of these unequally yoked relationships and so went into business with Ahab\'s son Ahaziah. God basically told him that ventures with the world will go bad, which it did. We cannot tie ourselves to the world without being pulled towards its values.

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What we don\'t read here is that when Ahaziah wanted to do it a second time, Jehoshaphat refused. Finally!

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Conclusions

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So in conclusion:

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When faced with difficulty beyond your ability to bear, be honest with God, set your face towards Him, ask others to join you in prayer, then worship and praise Him for his great love-and stand by and watch Him win victory in your life so that He can strengthen and purify you even more to serve His kingdom!

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There is tremendous power in worship. Think of Jericho (Joshua 6). They blew trumpets and shouted and the walls came down, for instance. But notice here that the people are witnesses to the Lord\'s power. The worship comes as a response to God\'s promise and His presence.

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We do have a part in bringing God\'s will and rule to the earth. We express fear which drives us to our knees-God responds and we end up on our faces in awe!