“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:17a
No matter how hard I tried this past week, I couldn’t get in the groove with my writing. My thoughts were fragmented. I had trouble expressing ideas. By Saturday I was beyond frustrated. Doubts and discouragement filled my mind. Maybe a second book wasn’t such a great idea after all.
Then I read the story of Jehoshaphat. It was just what I needed to get back on track.
When King Jehoshaphat received word that his enemies were going to attack, his first response was to turn to God. He proclaimed a fast for all of Judah, urging them to seek the Lord for help. As the people gathered together at the temple, Jehoshaphat prayed, “O LORD, God of our fathers, 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 (2 Chronicles 20:6).” Jehoshaphat continued by recounting God’s faithfulness to them. Finally, he confessed, “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 (20:12).”
At this point the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, one of the men standing in the crowd. He proclaimed: “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. Tomorrow march down against them….You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you (20:15-17).’”
The next morning the people marched in the direction of their enemies. Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise him along the way. When the men of Judah came to the place where their enemies were, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground. The battle had already been won. They didn’t have to fight at all.
Where does this story meet you? What battle are you facing? What worries plague your mind? Whatever you’re up against, you don’t have to “do” anything except trust the Lord.
Today, take your position of faith. Remember, God is fighting for you, and he will deliver you. Praise the Lord for the victory that is to come!
I am encouraged by all the comments
I’m praying for healing for my son cyst attracted his body
We’ve seen so many Drs. No prevail but I know dr Jesus is going
To show up and he is healed . So many people hurting keep the faith
It’s going to be ok .love reading you devotionals .
Lord God, I pray for Pat’s son. You know exactly what is going on in His body. I pray you’ll give the doctors wisdom to know what to do. Help them to understand and see what will help him. Thank you, Lord, that you are our Healer. We look to you, God, in this situation because you are our Hope! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Hi! This is my first day on the daniel fast. I found your website by “accident”, lol. I know that it was definitely The Hand of The LORD! I “thought” that I was looking for information on whether popcorn was permitted on the fast (I had gotten soooo hungry, since I’ve been consuming only liquids until 6:00 p.m. for the past 4 days. However, I asked The LORD if he minded me having some popcorn today, which led me to discover these blessed devotionals). This devotional is just what I needed. Also, I read “God is a Promise Keeper” (so rich)! I have been divorced 17 years and I am standing on God’s promises for the mate that he has for me. I often think of what Sarah went through, and I can identify with her and how she must have felt. I already have 5 children, but I want that man of God that I know The LORD has for me!
P.S. Enjoyed all of the posts! GOD bless each and every one of you!!!
Angela, I’m thankful the Lord led you here, too! He knew exactly what you needed. 🙂 I pray He’ll continue to pour out His favor on your life as you wait on Him!
This message was definitely meant for me this morning. i needed the encouragement and the rekindling of faith. thank you for letting God use you to minister to me this morning. God bless you!!! im in the middle of a fast and it seems like the more i try to focus, the more worries come to mind. im feeling very unsettled, but with this devotional, im getting a clearer spirit. thanks again!
Tracy, all glory to God! He knew just what you needed and let you to this devotion. He is so faithful. I pray the Lord will continue to give you His supernatural strength on your fast. Remember, you can do all things through Him! 🙂
My husband and I started the Daniel Fast 6 days ago to seek The Lord and pray that He will sell our house. We have tried selling it off and on for the last 5 yrs., the housing downfall really effected our area. Please pray that we will hear from The Lord and we will sell our house…thank you.
Michelle
Michelle, I’m glad to see you are fasting and praying for direction. God is faithful when his children come to him for help! I will pray for you…”Dear Lord, Michelle and her husband trust you. You know their situation and how they’ve waited so long for their house to sell. Your timing is perfect, Lord, and they believe you have someone already lined up to buy it. We praise you, God, for your faithfulness and provision. We expect you to do something big during their Daniel Fast because you are all-powerful. NOTHING is too hard for you! Thank you for sending the buyer for their house at just the right now. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, AMEN!”
I need the strength of the Lord to overcome many fears in my life, I just finish college, I need a job on my new career 3 kids and already 39 years old, I am a stress eater, I need a miracle I want to feel that I belong in this country Canada, my heart cries out to the Lord oF Lords JESUS.
Good news! We serve the God of Peace! He can help you overcome fear. First, if you are a follower of Jesus, you have peace with God (Romans 5:1). Second, God’s peace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, which means you can’t make it happen. To rest in the peace God provides, you must stay close to Him. Spending time in His Word and in prayer are crucial to keeping your mind and heart focused on God’s truth. When you rely on the Lord and trust in His promises, you WILL experience the peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7). May God fill you with hope as you look to Him. He is faithful to help when you call out to Him!
It is encouraging somehow to read of the many trials and variation of troubles people face in this life. I have been battling temptation of a wrong relationship for more than 2 years now, always thinking I had, it all under control. I know now that God is the only one who can deliver me from this and I am fasting and praying that He do so. I give up! Something in your message today tells me that is exactly where God wants me. I trust my Lord to be big enough to fight this one for me, I will show up expecting to win!
Cindy, I’m thankful you were encouraged today by what you read. You are in a good position right now – a position of humility and submission. God will honor that. I pray you draw upon the Lord’s strength when you feel the temptation coming at you full force. God is faithful, and He will always provide that way of escape. You are in good hands when you are in HIS hands. 🙂
Thank you for this devotional, I am going through a difficult time right now and I am waiting for God’s deliverance in a situation. I started the Daniel fast on July 5, 2013. Please keep me in your prayers.
Blessings, N
I’m glad the Lord led you to it! I pray that during your Daniel Fast, you sense God’s nearness in a special way.
I am in a predicament where I owe $300 to my bank, $4400 to funeral home, and other money for other bills. I lost my job due to my disability and I am waiting on a decision from social security. I only have $60 to my name. I have been praying for a miracle financial breakthrough asap. It seems like I am at the end of the road. I do know that God will provide and I pray daily for a way to get out of this horrible situation.
Amen! How difficult the times when two opposite thoughts come into the mind. Thank you for this today…..I sure needed it. Thank you Lord for placing it in my inbox.
May God continue to bless you.
Thank you so much for this reminder and scripture. I too have a situation where I know I’ve done all I can to prepare myself for a new season in my life (finished a PhD & looking for a university job), but nothing seems to be opening up. I am praying and praising God for the job I know He has for me. It will happen in His perfect timing. Thanks be to God!
Kelly, God has a job already lined up for you. I’m glad to hear you’re already praising him for it! May the Lord continue to pour out his favor on your life as you trust in him. 🙂
Congrats! I pray that one day I will have my Phd. It has been a long journey trying to finish my degree but I know God will make a way. I am believing God that you will have a job by the end of this month. Keep the faith!