14 March 2024 - When you are alarmed and afraid turn to God

2 Chronicles 20:1-4(NIV) After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in En Gedi. Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

Alarmed and afraid Jehoshaphat immediately turns to God. He moves his focus from the enemy to God. He proclaims a fast. A fast says you are serious about this matter. You are focusing your attention and energy on God.

2 Chronicles 20:17-19(NIV) You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Jehoshaphat did 5 things right to obtain a breakthrough: He focused on God instead of focusing on the problem. He sought help from the Lord. He prayed, he inquired of God. He proclaimed a fast and they all fasted. He acted in faith – 2 Chronicles 20:20(NIV) Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. He praised God in the midst of the attack - 2 Chronicles 20:21-22(NIV) After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

The valley of Battle became a Blessing.

2 Chronicles 20:26(AMP) Then on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for it was there that they blessed the Lord. For that reason, they named that place “The Valley of Beracah (blessing)” until today.