Lessons on Jehoshaphat (6)—How to Be Established and Prosper All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2023

The LORD is near - Thursday, December 23, 2021
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

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Lessons on Jehoshaphat (6)—How to Be Established and Prosper

Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.
2 Chronicles 20:20

Lessons on Jehoshaphat (6)—How to Be Established and Prosper
The day before, Jehoshaphat cried to the Lord and the answer came by a prophet, saying that the Lord himself would take care of the battle against their enemies. To this, Jehoshaphat and the whole congregation bowed before the Lord in worship. But the next morning, would it be the same? We see that Jehoshaphat really received the word of the Lord without doubting. For him the question was settled, and as king he encouraged all Judah not to faint and to believe in the Lord. He reminded them that it is the only way they can be established and prosper. What is our reaction when we hear the Word of God? Do we believe it, or do we remain in a cloud of doubts? There can be no assurance, no firmness, no establishing, no spiritual progress and prosperity if we do not add faith to it.

Our faith in the promises of God is also seen in our actions. What was Jehoshaphat’s battle plan? The army was there, but we do not read they had specific instructions to follow. Had the Lord given any instructions? So preparing a plan B was of no use. But do we not often do this? We call this foresight! But sometimes, behind it, we hide our lack of faith. But in Jehoshaphat we do not find that. The army was there, but the battle plan was very surprising: singers “who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness” (2 Chr. 20:21). Victory was given them when they started to sing and to praise. After their enemies had killed each other, there was so much spoil they gathered it for three days!

Believing the promises of God is the only way by which we can prosper spiritually and be established. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

Alexandre Leclerc

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