‏ 2 Chronicles 20

* The danger and distress of Judah. (1-13) Jahaziel's prophecy

of victory. (14-19) The thanksgiving of Judah. (20-30)

Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah. (31-37)

1-13 In all dangers, public or personal, our first business

should be to seek help from God. Hence the advantage of days for

national fasting and prayer. From the first to the last of our

seeking the Lord, we must approach him with humiliation for our

sins, trusting only in his mercy and power. Jehoshaphat

acknowledges the sovereign dominion of the Divine Providence.

Lord, exert it on our behalf. Whom should we seek to, whom

should we trust to for relief, but the God we have chosen and

served. Those that use what they have for God, may comfortably

hope he will secure it to them. Every true believer is a son of

Abraham, a friend of God; with such the everlasting covenant is

established, to such every promise belongs. We are assured of

God's love, by his dwelling in human nature in the person of the

Saviour. Jehoshaphat mentions the temple, as a token of God's

favourable presence. He pleads the injustice of his enemies. We

may well appeal to God against those that render us evil for

good. Though he had a great army, he said, We have no might

without thee; we rely upon thee. 14-19 The Spirit of prophecy came upon a Levite in the midst of

the congregation. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where and on

whom He listeth. He encouraged them to trust in God. Let the

Christian soldier go out against his spiritual enemies, and the

God of peace will make him more than a conqueror. Our trials

will prove our gain. The advantage will be all our own, but the

whole glory must be given to God. 20-30 Jehoshaphat exhorted his troops to firm faith in God.

Faith inspires a man with true courage; nor will any thing help

more to the establishing of the heart in shaking times, than a

firm belief of the power, and mercy, and promise of God. In all

our trust in the Lord, and our praises of him, let us especially

look at his everlasting mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ.

Never was an army so destroyed as that of the enemy. Thus God

often makes wicked people destroy one another. And never was a

victory celebrated with more solemn thanksgivings. 31-37 Jehoshaphat kept close to the worship of God, and did

what he could to keep his people close to it. But after God had

done such great things for him, given him not only victory, but

wealth; after this, to go and join himself with a wicked king,

was very ungrateful. What could he expect but that God would be

angry with him? Yet it seems, he took the warning; for when

Ahaziah afterward pressed him to join him, he would not, #1Ki

22:49|. Thus the alliance was broken, and the Divine rebuke had

its effect, at least for a season. Let us be thankful for any

losses which may have prevented the loss of our immortal souls.

Let us praise the Lord, who sought after us, and left us not to

perish in our sins.