ARE YOU A JEHOSHAPHAT?

By Michael K. Farrar

© God’s Breath Publications

 

I have never really thought about it, but the Psalms are not a collection of hymns that were written all at one time. They are a collection of songs that were written through Jewish history as events prompted them to respond to God. I wanted to share with you one particular Psalm this week, Psalm 46.

 

Scholars tell us that Psalm 46 was written after a very dramatic event in the lives of the Jewish people. The setting for this event occurs in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehosaphat, a very righteous and God fearing king of Judah is met with a very horrible dilemma. Several scouts tell him that three enemies, the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites had joined forces to come against him. At this news, the Bible says that Jehosaphat was fearful. He knew that there was no way that Judah stood a chance against such a devastating armed force. He knew that all would be slain, including men, women and children. What do you think Jehosaphat did? What would you have done?

 

Scripture tells us that Jehosaphat turned his face towards God. He sought God for advice, comfort, strength and direction. He instructed the people to begin a fast and seek the will of God. People from all the towns of Judah came to the King and fasted, prayed and sought God. After much prayer and fasting, King Jehosaphat stood up in this huge assembly and shared how great their God was. How He had delivered His people from many enemies and calamities before. How God is a righteous and merciful God and seeks to protect His own.

 

About that time the Lord spoke to Jahaziel, a member of the assembly. Jahaziel stood up and spoke to the King and all the people of Judah,

 

“Listen, this is what the Lord says to His people. Do not be afraid and discouraged. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Go out and face them and the Lord will be with you.”

 

At that moment, King Jehosaphat bowed his face to the ground and all the people of Judah fell down in worship of their God.

 

The next morning as the men of Judah gathered for battle, King Jehosaphat shouted to his soldiers and people, “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld.”

 

Then the King did a rather odd thing, or at least it might at first appear odd. He put the worship team at the head of the army to lead it into battle!

 

You begin to wonder at this action. Did the worship team hit some wrong notes last Sunday? Did they do too many new songs last month? Was there bickering amongst the team and the King was just tired of it and wanted to get rid of all of them?

 

No. I think when you hear what they sang as they marched into battle at the head of the army you will understand the King’s intentions.

 

As the worship team marched with their simple instruments ahead of the soldiers with all their swords, spears, shields and knives, they sang the following in loud voices,

 

“GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!”

 

Can you imagine being a member of this worship team? Here you are marching on the front line into battle, not behind your army to encourage them, but in front of them. You will be the first to meet the enemy that your own army cannot stand against. You are not trained for this type of battle you are trained to praise your God. Your skills are not with swords and spears, but with flute, harp and voice. Imagine the faith this worship team had in their God.

 

As they marched down the path that led to the valley where they knew the battle would take place, the Lord heard their praises.

 

They cleared the summit of the hill at the top of the valley and looked into the valley that held the vast forces of their enemy. They were shocked! Strewn all around the valley floor were the bodies of their enemies. All three of the massive armies were dead. Bodies were everywhere. God had responded to their faith and worship. In the dim light of the morning God caused the armies to be awoken and become confused. They turned on each other and slew each other to the last man.

 

King Jehosaphat directed his men to collect all the equipment and valuables. There was so much plunder, it took three days to collect and move it all back to Judah.

 

Psalm 46 was written after this great battle. It is a beautiful song praising God for who He is. One particular verse is especially meaningful to me as I dwell on the context of what had happened to the people of Judah. Verse 10 contains the words, “BE STILL, AND KNOW, THAT I AM GOD!”

 

Are you a Jehosaphat? Do you turn your face towards God when the horrible and impossible come into your life? What do you do when bad things happen to good people?

 

We MUST “Be still and know that He is God.”  

 

PSALMS 46

 

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

 

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

 

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

 

5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

 

6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.

 

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

 

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

 

9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.

 

10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

 

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.