I think this first half of chapter 20 is one of my all time favorite stories. Maybe because I can relate so personally with it, I’m not sure, I just know that I love it. Here’s Jehoshaphat, a relatively good king, and he is informed that a “great multitude” is headed their way. Eep! And the Word says that he was afraid. But he didn’t panic and he didn’t scramble around like a crazy person in terror, he didn’t even call together all his wise men for advice. Nope. The Bible says that he “set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” And then the entire country gathered together to pray and see what the LORD would answer them. In Jehoshaphat’s prayer he points out to God that He had promised this land to this people. That this horde that was heading their way was the same group that God wouldn’t let them drive out of the land in previous years and now they’re coming after Judah to drive them out instead! He even goes so far as to say to God, “If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence or famine, we will stand before this house and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.” (2 Chronicles 20:9) But this is the statement that Jehoshaphat makes that I feel we can relate the best with, “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)
[Baby Inch Worm on a Blanket – that’s powerless]
How often have we all been in those situations where we truly feel powerless to turn the tides? We have no idea what to do to change the circumstances we’re in. Yet we are not powerless because we have the all powerful living and breathing within ourselves. The Spirit of the Almighty God dwells in YOU, therefore you are not without hope or power. You see, when our hope is in HIM our situations are anything but hopeless. When our strength is found in HIM we are anything but powerless! 
What was the LORD’s response to Jehoshaphat’s plea for help?
“Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde for the battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15&17)
Don’t be afraid. Why? Because this isn’t your fight! Yesterday we talked about the importance of knowing your enemy. And that the Word tells us that we don’t fight against other people, we fight against the dark spirits of this world. They are our enemy, not the humans being held hostage by them. Today God is reminding us that we MUST remember who the Enemy really is, because that then reminds us of whose battle it really is. How can we fight what we can’t see? How can we command what we can’t name? How can we know the unknown? Only through Christ.
I think it is so funny that I searched high and low for this very scripture yesterday. I wanted so desperately to remind you that this wasn’t OUR battle to fight because it’s His. But He kept me from finding this verse. I even put it out there on Facebook and no one responded! But God knew that it was just one page flip away and He wanted me to focus on it today rather than just throw it into the message yesterday.
This great horde that you’re facing today; a mountain of debt that you’re powerless to pay, a multitude of cancer cells that you’re helpless to fight, a death of a loved one that your unable to bring back, it feels hopeless…. but it’s not! Because when our hope is in the LORD we are never hopeless! He is the Almighty! He is ALWAYS faithful. And while He may not bring the victory in the way that we desire or long for, I can guarantee you with 100% certainty that you have been given a victory in Christ that is beyond all compare!
[it’s a matter of life and death]
