Your Children Are Watching How You Fight! – Part II

Yesterday we are right at the point of our story where Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah…was about to speak to Jehoshaphat and all the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem. To re-create the scene we found that King Jehoshaphat was terrified of the impending alliance that surrounding nations had made to come against God’s people. However, he had called the people together and instructed them first of all to go on a fast. As they were assembled waiting on further instructions we see the words of Jahaziel:

“He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” 2 Chronicles 15-17 (NLT)

A strategy has come forth – one that military experts would probably dispute for this plan of action suggests that they don’t even prepare to fight! Instead they are instructed to take their position and then stand still and watch the Lord give them victory without even lifting a finger. And he further reinforces one thing – for them not to be afraid or be discouraged. Hmmm – what is the first thing the enemy does us to when we are faced with a trial – he makes us afraid! What is number two – he brings a spirit of discouragement!

The devil never changes his tactics – he can only come as Tammy Baker used to say, ” as a roaring lion that has no teeth!” Satan works best with a spirit of intimidation – walking around in all of his thunderous roar to make us afraid – or taunting us with accusations that deny the love of God and the plan of God, in an attempt to discourage us. It is important that we recognize these tactics and see them for the illusion that they are. What is real, is what God says!

If this next generation is going to be saved from the depravity that is rapidly becoming the victor in this culture war we are experiencing then they have to know how to fight! They are watching us, they are listening to us, they are going to mimick us! It would unrealistic to say that new tests and trials don’t sometimes unnerve us – if we’ve never been down a dark road before our humanity causes us to come to attention and put our guard up! But what is our next response – is it to call for the elders – for the community of believers that we belong to – for our family and friends – to come together and through prayer and fasting seek the Lord for the word of instruction that God longs to give? Can we trust God when He gives us a strange directive and do that crazy thing, sure that the results are going to be for our good and His glory?

Each of us are in a battle, many of us in battles that will change the course of our lives – remember our children are watching the way we fight!

God Bless You,
Maria