Ambushed

2 Chron. 20:22  Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

Jehoshaphat and Judah faced overwhelming opposition.  A great army approached intending (v.11) to throw God's people out from the land, to prevent them from possessing their promised inheritance.  In prayer, a desperate Jehoshaphat said (v.12) they felt powerless and without direction.  But they made one very important decision.  Instead of focusing on the problem they faced, they focused on the God they served proclaiming, "...our eyes are upon You."  God responded through Jahaziel saying, "Do not be afraid...for the battle is Mine not yours."  In other words, have faith and believe (v.20) in Me for your salvation.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed like Jehoshaphat, convinced that the trials, afflictions and enemies you face are keeping you from receiving God's promises for your life?  That you are powerless to do anything about it and don't know which way to turn?  Then do like he did and focus not on your big problem or circumstances but on your bigger God.  Position yourself in faith and not fear knowing that God will fight your battles and that you are assured the victory.  Begin to praise Him!

Having God's assurance of victory, Jehoshaphat and company began, in faith, to sing and praise the Lord.  And out of that praise the Lord set ambushes against their enemies and they were totally defeated.  He confused the enemy camp so much that they destroyed themselves (v.23) and not an single one escaped (v.24).  The spoil gathered by Jehoshaphat and Judah afterwards was so great that it took three days to collect.  Out of the battle came the blessing.

Our faith-inspired praise can produce the same results.  God's battle-bought blessings await us.  Praise Him now because your enemies are about to be ambushed!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Praise Him now because your enemies are about to be ambushed.

Even More Powerful

Rom. 5:20  The Law came, so that the full power of sin could be seen.  Yet where sin was powerful, God's kindness was even more powerful.  (CEV)

Laws are not made for righteous people (1 Tim. 1:9).  They are made for the unrighteous.  Think about it.  If everyone in our society, any society, behaved perfectly, laws would be completely unnecessary.  They exist only in order to identify to the unrighteous where they transgress or sin.

And so it was with the Law of Moses.  Through it an unrighteous people could see the full condemning power of their sin and the hopelessness of their situation.  Because no matter how hard they tried, they could never fully satisfy or live by it's requirements.  They could never earn their own righteousness.  Their sin was just too powerful.  And the sobering judgment due them, the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23), was death.  An eternal separation from God.

But, we are told that as powerful as the grip of sin was on their lives, God's grace (kindness) was even more powerful!  He provided, through Jesus Christ, the only perfect, sinless and righteous Man by whom we all have been made righteous (v.19)  and in whom the Law was fulfilled (Mt. 5:17).  By God's grace and through our faith (Eph. 2:8) we are saved.  We have eternal life and victory (1 Cor. 15:57) over sin and death because of something even more powerful.  God's amazing grace.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Sin is powerful, but God's grace is even more powerful.

Our Banner

Isa. 59:19  ...When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

The standard, or banner, was the flag that preceded an army into battle.  When the enemy saw the banner raised, they knew immediately who they were up against.  So long as it was visible amidst the confusion of battle, the standard encouraged it's soldiers to fight on knowing that success was imminent.  Ultimately, it marked victory, giving evidence of who was in control.

In Exodus (17:8-15), as long as Moses kept his hands lifted with the rod of God from the top of the hill, the Israelites prevailed in battle.  The will of God was for Israel to have the victory.  Afterwards, Moses built an altar to remember Jehovah Nissi (The-Lord-Is-My-Banner).

When we are overwhelmed like a flood in our battles against our enemy, we should not get discouraged.  Fight on.  Isaiah writes that the Lord is holding up our victory flag!  Satan cringes knowing who he's up against.  He realizes his ultimate defeat because there is nothing he can do to prevail or bring the standard down.  No weapon he has formed against us can prosper.  Our success is imminent.  The outcome is already assured.  God is in control.

When you lift your hands in praise and worship, remember the victory of Moses and the Israelites.  Your victory is already assured because the Lord is your banner!

Sock Monkey Snippet:  Your victory is already assured.