2 Chronicles 20:1–4, 15-23
After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 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.”
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the LORD,
for his steadfast love endures forever.”
And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
This narrative describes the miraculous victory that God brought to Judah against their perpetual enemies, the Moabites and Ammonites. Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah at the time and the Lord had recently taught him a startling lesson about depending on his grace alone. Jehoshaphat had become very powerful and wealthy through the Lord’s blessing, but he turned to secular strategies to protect his kingdom by allying himself with the wicked King Ahab of Israel through marriage and in a military campaign against Ramoth Gilead. Ignoring all godly counsel, Jehoshaphat and Ahab went to battle. Ahab was killed and Jehoshaphat was threatened with judgment by God. Jehoshaphat heeded the warning and turned back to the Lord, leading his nation to do the same.
Now a test comes to see if Jehoshaphat will continue to trust the Lord’s love even when he is threatened by enemies.
Those of you beginning college in the fall are entering a time of testing yourself. You will be surrounded by spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical enemies. What will equip you to graduate from college loving Jesus more than when you entered, ensure that you remain emotionally healthy, and enable you to flourish as a human being in every way? Only a firm conviction of God's steadfast love for you in Jesus Christ.
Jehoshaphat acted courageously. While the Lord did the fighting, Jehoshaphat had to walk toward the enemy. And then he did the most courageous thing of all—he was willing to act like a fool so that the Lord would reap the glory. Of all things, he had to assemble a choir to sing to the enemy! And what was their selection? A song about God’s love: "Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever." Jehoshaphat’s courage is explained in the way true courage always occurs in Scripture, by the promise of God’s presence. Because Jehoshaphat knew that the God who loved and delighted in him was with him he was willing to do anything, even field a choir against bloodthirsty enemies. Singing a hymn on the battlefield seems counterintuitive, even crazy. But because the battle was ultimately the Lord's, Jehoshaphat and his army had to renew their trust in him by rejoicing in his steadfast love. Going to worship may seem like a counterintuitive way to maintain your faith in college, but it is only as you are weekly reminded of God's steadfast love for you that you will be able to say no to the pressures that surround you.
You need to be vocal about the one who truly loves you. It will deliver you. Jehoshaphat had already witnessed this in a dramatic way. When he and Ahab went against Ramoth Gilead, the enemy was pursuing him mistakenly thinking he was Ahab. Jehoshaphat cried out to God and God drew the enemies away from him. Young ladies, when a young man tries to get you drunk or pull you into his bed, you let him know that you don’t need that kind of false love because Jesus loves you truly. He will leave you alone. Young men, if a forward woman tries to do the same, you tell her that the Father of love whom you know has commanded you to treat all women with loving respect which does not include sexual immorality. And when someone pressures you to drink, you tell them that because Jesus loves you, you don’t need the acceptance or things that destroy you mentally and physically.
But I challenge you do more than just say no. Because you know Jesus loves you, do hard things for him. Courageously move toward the unlovable people on your campus. Stand up for the needs of students when you see them, even if it makes you look strange. Serve in your local church even when it takes you away from some other things that may seem more fun. It is only the steadfast love of God that can enable you to live selflessly, leading to a life of joy and purpose rather than selfishly, leading to a life of shame and regret.