An Army Is Coming

We read in Chronicles 20 about a surprise attack from three rival nations, Moab, Ammon and the Menuites. Without warning, they crossed the Dead Sea. And were only 40 miles away. The attack came from nations nursing ancient hostility, long memories of perceived slights, anger simmering over the years, and jealousy that was now boiling over.

The news came this way: “A vast army is coming against you. They have crossed the Dead Sea and are already in En Gedi.” Another day or two or three and the enemy would be at the gates of Jerusalem.

“A vast army is coming against you.” That made it very personal. Not just against Judah, not just against Jerusalem, but against the king himself, against Jehoshaphat. This was a true test of one man’s faith in the time of crisis.

What will he do? A person may do many things in a time of crisis. Some cover up, some give up, others panic, and still others deny they have a problem. We all go through times of crisis and difficulties. It’s not normally, however. the crisis that destroys people; it’s what we do or don’t do when the crisis hits that makes the biggest difference for our lives. The first few moments, the first hours, the first days, the way you respond when your back is up against the wall—that’s when you discover what you are made of.

What do you do when your land is invaded? Get the guns? Call the army? That would make sense because Judah had a large, well-trained army. But not this time. Jehoshaphat did something that by human standards makes no sense. He called a nationwide fast and asked the people to join him in Jerusalem for a prayer meeting. Now that’s crazy by all human standards. Common sense says, “Don’t waste time. There’s a time to pray and a time to fight. Now’s the time to fight.”Oh no, says Jehoshaphat. Now is the time to pray.

How Do you respond when crisis first hits. Are you ready to fight on you own or are you ready to pray?