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Position Yourselves
In this writing/study, we will look at the placement of ones self at the right place and at the right time. We need to understand that once we receive vision and direction from God, that the timing is also very important.
Let us look at this classical Biblical story out of 2 Chronicles
Chapter 20.
(2) Now word came to Jehoshaphat (King of Judah) that "a great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea." (3) And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
Now Jehoshaphat was a God fearing King, so instead of seeking his generals of his army, or counseling of the congress of the day, he positioned himself in prayer in front of the only one who had the power to save him and his kingdom; God. In the next verse the scripture reads:
(4) So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
The key word here is all. Not only did the king position himself, but also the whole nation of Judah took the position to seek God in this matter.
How about us! What is our position when trouble comes our way? What do we do when calamity strikes and we have no answers to give to our loved ones or friends or relatives. How do we position ourselves?
You know, when Jehoshaphat called all Judah to a fast, and all the cities listened, we need to understand the times they lived in. They didn't have satellite hook ups or television, radio or computers for communication; nor air travel, cars, trains, etc. Therefore it took some time to get word out to the nation of Judah and reach the people. So during this time of reaching out, this vast army is in travel toward Judah and Jerusalem.
When the nation was gathered, Jehoshaphat prayed to God (verses 5-13). And in verse 9 he says:
'If disaster comes upon us; sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine-we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.'
That my friends is taking a position of faith, as well as we should. We know that 'without faith, it is impossible to please God.' (Hebrews 11:6).
Now all Judah (verse 13) was standing before the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord (v 14) came upon Jahaziel in the midst of the assembly and he spoke saying (v 15) Thus says the Lord to you: "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's."
(16) 'Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. (V17) 'You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you."
The king and all Judah bowed (v 18-19) worshiping the Lord, and the praise team lifted their voices up high. The next day the king (v 20) told the people: "Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."
The word prosper doesn't always, (as we tend to believe it does) in the Bible, refer to a monetary value. It has several different applications; one meaning to make ones way successful. However, in this case, I believe it has a double application, as we will see.
In verse 21 King Jehoshaphat appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever."
Now when they began to sing and to praise (v 22-27) the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
Page Two
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