1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: Let us pray so the realm of Jehosaphat was quiet, 2 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: for his God gave him rest. Round about Second Chronicles 3 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: twenty thirty. Dear God, as I evaluate my life and 4 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:19,800 Speaker 1: meditate on your plans for me, thank you for sharing 5 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: this truth in today's reading. I acknowledge that my strength 6 00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 1: and wisdom doesn't come from reinventing the wheel, but in 7 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: standing steadfast in your strategies and perfect plan. Therefore, as 8 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: I make decisions in my life, I will stay mindful 9 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: and not partake in battles that I am not called 10 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:45,200 Speaker 1: to fight. I will not create ties with others who 11 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 1: aren't on the same frequency of my destiny. Thank you 12 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: for forgiving me even when wrong partnerships arise. Thank You 13 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 1: for dissolving harmful relationships in my life. Because I am 14 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: called to be different and do different, I will stand 15 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: confident when my life and decisions are unorthodox compared to 16 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:12,840 Speaker 1: others like Jehosaphat. With your co sign on my life, 17 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:18,119 Speaker 1: I will declare that victory will come in unorthodox ways, 18 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: and that my only fight will be to stand strong 19 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 1: in your power and might. In Jesus name, Amen, Thank 20 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: you for praying with us today. Continue your time with 21 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 1: God by listening to today's Bible story, brought to you 22 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 1: by Bible in a Year dot com, Justice, honor, and music. 23 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:53,520 Speaker 1: In our last story, Jehosaphat became king over Judah and 24 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: ruled righteously. Is sent out teachers and priests to care 25 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 1: for the people and teach them God's ways. He built 26 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 1: cities and fortified towns that had no defenses. He amassed wealth, respect, 27 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 1: and protection for Judah. He even built alliances with other 28 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:14,799 Speaker 1: nations and broken an era of peace in the land. However, 29 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: his alliance with Ahab, the King of Israel, proved to 30 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: be unwise, as Ahab led them into an unwinnable battle. 31 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,959 Speaker 1: Ahab died as was God's will. Now we learn more 32 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: about the rule and reign of King Jehosaphat. His desire 33 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 1: for justice and honor spreads throughout the whole land, and 34 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: in Israel's greatest moment of threat, he leans upon God 35 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,600 Speaker 1: even when it may seem unorthodox. Inspired by the Book 36 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: of Second Chronicles, this is Jack Graham with today's episode 37 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 1: of the Bible in a Year. In our previous episode, 38 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 1: we learned about King Jehosaphat in Judah, unlike Ahab in Israel, 39 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 1: Jehosaphat followed God's heart and worked hard to the nation 40 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 1: of sin and idolatry. Because of this, he and all 41 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 1: of Judah with him prospered. Seeking peace for Judah. Jehosaphat 42 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 1: forged an alliance with Ahab. And we heard the last 43 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:16,119 Speaker 1: time how Ahabs sought to go to battle with Syria, 44 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 1: despite the Lord's warning that the war would mean his demise. 45 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 1: And so as we closed out the passage, Abraham died 46 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 1: on the battlefield, and though the war was lost, the 47 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: Lord protected Jehosaphat in battle. So today we're going to 48 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: hear more about this righteous king and how he sought 49 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: to do God's will and to bring honor and glory 50 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 1: to the nation. We'll see how in all things this 51 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: noble king sought to obey God and lived in dependence 52 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: upon him to gain victory after victory. So let's listen 53 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 1: today to God's word. The battle against Syria had taken 54 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: its toll on Judah. Hundreds of men were lost in 55 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: a battle men for another kingdom. King Ahab had taken 56 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: advantage of their alliance to win back a city he 57 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 1: had lost. As a result. King Jehosaphat was forced into 58 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 1: a battle God did not intend for him to fight. 59 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 1: Ahab was slain, the battle was lost, and now the 60 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 1: King of Judah returned home. Dejected and ashamed. Josephat walked 61 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:23,560 Speaker 1: into the palace and removed his armor. He was sore 62 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 1: from battle and travel, his bones ached, and his heart 63 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:30,599 Speaker 1: was heavy because of the loss of his men. All 64 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: seemed dark and the once bright and shining kingdom of Judah. 65 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 1: Jehosaphat sat down on his throne, closed his eyes and 66 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 1: released a deep sigh. Then he heard the doors open 67 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: abruptly in front of him. Walking in was a prophet 68 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: by the name of Jehu. A look of disappointment was 69 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 1: clear on his face. He approached the run down king 70 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,919 Speaker 1: and spoke forcibly. Why would you align yourself with people 71 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 1: who clearly hate the lord? He asked the king, God's 72 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 1: anger is kindled against you. Tears began to stream down 73 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,599 Speaker 1: Jehosaphat's face as he listened to Jehu scold him. He 74 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 1: knew he had compromised the integrity of his kingdom. He 75 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 1: had worked so hard to remove the idols and false 76 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:17,479 Speaker 1: gods from the land, and now he had partnered with 77 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:21,799 Speaker 1: the corrupt Kingdom of Israel. He lowered his head in sadness. 78 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: Jehu saw the remorse on the king's face. He breathed 79 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: deeply for a moment and changed his tone. He walked 80 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 1: up and put a gentle hand on Jehosaphat's shoulder. Even so, 81 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 1: there is much good in you, my king. You have 82 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:40,599 Speaker 1: removed all the false gods from this land. You have 83 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 1: committed yourself and the kingdom to God. With those words, 84 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 1: Jehu left his king to be with the Lord. Jehosaphat 85 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: arose the next morning with purpose and vision for the 86 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 1: future of Judah. He left his home in Jerusalem to 87 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 1: travel the land. He visited every city, far, village, and 88 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 1: family in land. He would pray for them, speak with them, 89 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 1: and listen to the needs of his people. He would 90 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 1: encourage them to return to the Lord. If they had strayed, 91 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:13,039 Speaker 1: he would remind them of their rich heritage and God. Then, 92 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 1: in each part of the country he went, he would 93 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 1: appoint a judge over them. These judges would help fortify 94 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: the towns and lead the people in any disputes. He 95 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 1: gave them specific order to act justly and think carefully 96 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:29,840 Speaker 1: about each and every trial that came their way. Remember, 97 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: he would order them, you do not live to please 98 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 1: the people, but the Lord. May he be with you 99 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 1: in every case. Fear the Lord, judge with integrity, and 100 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 1: do not tolerate corruption. When Joseph had returned from his travels, 101 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:49,039 Speaker 1: he appointed some levites and priests to be clan leaders 102 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: over the city. They would oversee cases involving the law 103 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: of God and justice over civil disputes. He encouraged the 104 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,279 Speaker 1: men to stay away from a corrupt heart and pursue 105 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 1: righteousness at all costs. They were to have the final 106 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,720 Speaker 1: say as judges over the land in matters too large 107 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: for the smaller judges. So slowly Jehosaphat began to bring 108 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: a culture of love and justice to the people of Judah. However, 109 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 1: darkness lurked in the wilderness, awaiting a perfect time to 110 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 1: strike the peaceful people of Judah. The Moabites and Ammonites 111 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: aligned together to overtake the people of Judah. They amassed 112 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 1: a great and mighty army to come against Jehosaphat and 113 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 1: the men of God. Their military might was so vast 114 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 1: that Jehosaphat could not dream of defeating them on his own. 115 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: So Jehosaphat assembled the entire nation of Judah to pray 116 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:44,119 Speaker 1: and fast to the Lord for help. Together, they sought 117 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 1: wisdom and protection from the threatening Horde approaching, and Judah 118 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 1: assembled to seek help from the Lord. From all the 119 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 1: cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. Men, 120 00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: women and children joined Jehosaphat and prayer see him and 121 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 1: leaning on his wisdom. Finally, the Lord spoke to Jehosephat, saying, 122 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 1: do not be afraid. Do not be dismayed, for the 123 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: battle is not yours but mine. Tomorrow you shall go 124 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 1: down against them. When they ascend, you will find them 125 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:19,840 Speaker 1: in a valley towards the east. I promise you that 126 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 1: you will not need to fight this battle. Hold your 127 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 1: position and watch the salvation of God unfold before you. 128 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:30,480 Speaker 1: Josephat bowed his head and fell flat on the ground. 129 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 1: He worshiped God, arose and prepared his men for battle. 130 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 1: They went into the wilderness towards the east as God 131 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:42,720 Speaker 1: had commanded. Josephat stood before his people. They were ency 132 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: for a fight. Many of them did not quite trust 133 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 1: that God would provide victory for them without fighting. Josephad 134 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: raised his voice for all to hear. Hear me, believe 135 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 1: in the Lord your God, he shouted. As he was speaking. 136 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 1: They could see the Ammonite in Moab army partnered with 137 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 1: the people of mountser forming in the distance. The earth 138 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: shook at their numbers. The three people groups rumbled and 139 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 1: prepared for battle against Judah. Slowly they began to make 140 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: their march towards the armies of Judah. Jehosaphat stood his ground. 141 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 1: It was tempting to not call his archers to the front, 142 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:25,360 Speaker 1: but instead he did something so wildly unorthodox that there 143 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 1: has never been a commander two so since Jehosaphat called 144 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 1: forth the musicians of Judah to the front of the 145 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 1: battle lines. The king stood among them and raised his 146 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 1: hands towards the battlefield. Give thanks to God, he shouted, 147 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:44,720 Speaker 1: for his love endures forever, and like a mighty roar, 148 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: the voices of Judah sang praises to God along with 149 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: the music. As they sang praises to God, the people 150 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: of Mount Sir re routed, and the Moorbites and the 151 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:58,560 Speaker 1: Ammonites pursued them. The men of Judah watched as they 152 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 1: confused and divided alie and began destroying one another. They 153 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:06,160 Speaker 1: listened to the clanging of metal and bones clashed in 154 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:09,559 Speaker 1: the distance. A civil war broke out in real time 155 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:13,120 Speaker 1: before them, and the Moabide and Ammonite armies were completely 156 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 1: consumed by one another. Silence fell upon the valley, and 157 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: the people of Judah approached the scorched earth where the 158 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:24,559 Speaker 1: battle had taken place. Blood and dust covered the atmosphere, 159 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 1: and riches lay on the floor for the taking. The 160 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:30,679 Speaker 1: Lord had provided victory without any need for them to 161 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: lift up a spear. Thus, Jehosephat reigned over Judah for 162 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: twenty five years. His heart for the Lord mirrored that 163 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 1: of his forefather, David. He dedicated the rest of his 164 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: rule towards the flourishing of his people, as they honored 165 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: God and one another. His kindness, wisdom, and justice was 166 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 1: well known among the land. Tales of God's victory against 167 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 1: the Moabide and Ammonite armies protected them from trouble for 168 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:05,680 Speaker 1: years to come. As we begin today's reading, Jehosaphat has 169 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:09,319 Speaker 1: been defeated in battle. His alliance with Ahab and Israel 170 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:13,320 Speaker 1: had proven costly for his nation, though not as costly 171 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: as for Ahab, who lost his life to the Syrian army. Still, 172 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: Jehosaphat knew his decision to align himself with a man 173 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 1: like Ahab had come at a great cost, so it 174 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: wasn't a surprise when Jehosaphat faced a prophet by the 175 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: name of Jehu. Jehu came with a message from God. 176 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 1: Jehu told the king that God's anger had been stirred 177 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: by Jehosaphat when he went into battle. He knew that 178 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 1: God did not desire him to fight. Jehosaphat did not 179 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 1: make excuses, nor did he lash out at the messenger. 180 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 1: He listened to the prophet, and the next words he 181 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:56,880 Speaker 1: heard surely gave him great comfort and consolation. For Jehu 182 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 1: then said that God saw the good and the king 183 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:03,280 Speaker 1: his cleansing the country of idolatry and sin and seeking 184 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:07,520 Speaker 1: after the law of the Lord. This had not gone 185 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:12,079 Speaker 1: unnoticed by God. In life. God will choose to discipline 186 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 1: us when we need it, but that is for the 187 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: purpose of correcting us. And God is now correcting Jehosahat 188 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 1: like a good father would correct his son, and all 189 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:25,640 Speaker 1: the while he is extending grace and mercy to the king. 190 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:30,479 Speaker 1: Because God knew his heart and the heart of Jehosaphat 191 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: was one that sought justice, honor, and to turn the 192 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:38,200 Speaker 1: people back to God. He traveled throughout the nation to 193 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:42,680 Speaker 1: advise people to go back to the Lord. The nation 194 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: needed revival. He knew that his task was too big 195 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: for one man, even though he was a king. So 196 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:53,720 Speaker 1: Jehosaphat appointed judges to each region to protect the town's 197 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: settled disputes and maintain order. God is, after all, a 198 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 1: god of order and justice, not chaos and confusion. He 199 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: gave careful instructions to the judges as to how to 200 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 1: follow God's will and not man's desires. He then appointed 201 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 1: priests and levites to rule on matters of justice and 202 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: God's law. Slowly, steadily, surely, Judah was returning to a 203 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:26,079 Speaker 1: place of dependence upon God. And, as so often happens 204 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:29,199 Speaker 1: in life, when things began to take shape and fall 205 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 1: into place, another threat arose. The Moabites, the Ammonites, and 206 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:38,880 Speaker 1: the Munites began to assemble to attack. This was no 207 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,680 Speaker 1: small army, and Jehosaphat knew they were too great a 208 00:13:42,679 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 1: foe to overcome even with a powerful army. So in 209 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: Second Chronicles twenty verses three and four. Here's what we read. 210 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: Then Jehosaphat was afraid and set his face to seek 211 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:57,560 Speaker 1: the Lord and proclaimed to fast throughout all Judah and 212 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:00,320 Speaker 1: Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord. From all 213 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:02,679 Speaker 1: the cities of Judah that came to seek the Lord, 214 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 1: do you see what is happening here? The king doesn't 215 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:09,640 Speaker 1: know what to do. There's a battle that is coming, 216 00:14:09,760 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 1: and he feels so unqualified. So what did he do? 217 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:18,640 Speaker 1: He called the nation to fast and pray. He gets 218 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 1: on his knees and he seeks the Lord. He even says, Lord, 219 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: we do not know what to do, but our eyes 220 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 1: are on you. Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon. In fact, 221 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 1: prayer is a kind of battlefield in which we fight 222 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: our spiritual battles. And because Jehosaphat begins to pray and obey, 223 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 1: the nation of Judah joins him in the fasting and praying. 224 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:47,320 Speaker 1: And God answered with reassurance and told the king not 225 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 1: to fear that the battle was one. The victory was 226 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 1: already his. So when it was time for the battle, 227 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 1: the army assembled, but rather than lead with archers and 228 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 1: swords and soldiers, Jehosaphat called them musicians to the front line, 229 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 1: and with great shouts of praise, they proclaimed the enduring 230 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 1: love of God and his goodness to his people. The 231 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: battle begins with praise. Miraculously, the enemy turned on itself, 232 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: waging a battle that Judah's fighters never even had to 233 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: fight until the enemy was completely destroyed. So, just as 234 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 1: God had promised, victory was given to Judah that day. 235 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: Praise is the victory because praise enters in the presence 236 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 1: of God, and God responds when his people pray and 237 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: praise him. That day would live on in memory as 238 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: a sign of God's enduring faithfulness and goodness. And to 239 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 1: this very day, we seeing and we worship God knowing 240 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: that there is victory in our savior. Dear God, we 241 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 1: thank you for Jehosaphat's example in today's message Lord their time, 242 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,479 Speaker 1: that we don't know what to do, that our problems 243 00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:07,120 Speaker 1: are so perplexing and so difficult, that we have no 244 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:09,680 Speaker 1: idea as to what we are to say, what we 245 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: are to pray. But when we don't know what to do, 246 00:16:13,120 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: we keep our eyes on You. We trust in you 247 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:19,120 Speaker 1: and seek your face because we know that you will 248 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:23,359 Speaker 1: fight our battles, and that the battle is the Lord's 249 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 1: in Christ's name. Amen, thank you for listening to today's 250 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:32,120 Speaker 1: Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham of Dallas, Texas. 251 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:34,520 Speaker 1: I would encourage you to download the Prey dot com 252 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 1: app and certainly to make Bible study and prayer a 253 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: priority in your life. I would encourage you to go 254 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 1: to church and be a part of a Bible believing, 255 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 1: Christ exalting church. If you enjoyed this podcast, tell a friend, 256 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: let someone else know, because the Word of God changes lives. 257 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 1: And if you want more resources as to how you 258 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: can know and love God and follow Him all the 259 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: days of your life, be sure to visit Jack Graham 260 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 1: dot org as we have many resources available to you 261 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:13,960 Speaker 1: as you journey with the Lord. God bless you. This 262 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:18,159 Speaker 1: episode is sponsored by Mediciane, an innovative healthcare solution for 263 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,680 Speaker 1: Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.