1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: Let us pray so the realm of Jehosaphat was quiet, 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: for his God gave him rest. Round about Second Chronicles 3 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: twenty thirty. Dear God, as I evaluate my life and 4 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: meditate on your plans for me, thank you for sharing 5 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: this truth in to day's reading. I acknowledge that my 6 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: strength and wisdom doesn't come from reinventing the wheel, but 7 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:35,160 Speaker 1: in standing steadfast in your strategies and perfect plan. Therefore, 8 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 1: as I make decisions in my life, I will stay 9 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: mindful and not partake in battles that I am not 10 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 1: called to fight. I will not create ties with others 11 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 1: who aren't on the same frequency of my destiny. Thank 12 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 1: you for forgiving me even when wrong partnerships arise. Thank 13 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: You for dissolving harmful relationships in my life. Because I 14 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: am called to be different and do different, I will 15 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:07,680 Speaker 1: stand confident when my life and decisions are unorthodox compared 16 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 1: to others like Jehosaphat. With your cosign on my life, 17 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: I will declare that victory will come in unorthodox ways, 18 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 1: and that my only fight will be to stand strong 19 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:29,479 Speaker 1: in your power and might. In Jesus's name, Amen, Thank 20 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 1: you for praying with us today. Continue your time with 21 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: God by listening to today's Bible story, brought to you 22 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: by Bible in a Year dot com. 23 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 2: Justice, honor, and music. In our last story, jehosaph Fat 24 00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 2: became king over Judah and ruled righteously. His sent out 25 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 2: teachers and priests to care for the people and teach 26 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 2: them god God's ways. He built cities and fortified towns 27 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 2: that had no defenses. He amassed wealth, respect, and protection 28 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 2: for Judah. He even built alliances with other nations and 29 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 2: broken an era of peace in the land. However, his 30 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 2: alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel, proved to be unwise, 31 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 2: as Ahab led them into an unwinnable battle. Ahab died 32 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 2: as was God's will. Now we learn more about the 33 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 2: rule and reign of King Jehosaphat. His desire for justice 34 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 2: and honor spreads throughout the whole land, and in Israel's 35 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:38,839 Speaker 2: greatest moment of threat, he leans upon God even when 36 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 2: it may seem unorthodox. Inspired by the Book of Second Chronicles. 37 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 3: This is Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 38 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 3: in a Year. In our previous episode, we learned about 39 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 3: King Jehosaphat in Judah, Unlike Ahab in Israel, Jehosaphat followed 40 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 3: God's heart and worked hard to rent the nation of 41 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 3: sin and idolatry. Because of this, he and all of 42 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 3: Judah with him prospered. Seeking peace for Judah. Jehosephad forged 43 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 3: an alliance with a have And we heard the last 44 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 3: time how Ahab sought to go to battle with Syria, 45 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 3: despite the lord's warning that the war would mean his demise. 46 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 3: And so as we closed out the passage, Abraham died 47 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 3: on the battlefield, and though the war was lost, the 48 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 3: Lord protected Jehosephad in battle. So today we're going to 49 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 3: hear more about this righteous king and how he sought 50 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 3: to do God's will and to bring honor and glory 51 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 3: to the nation. We'll see how in all things this 52 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 3: noble king sought to obey God and lived in dependence 53 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:50,680 Speaker 3: upon him to gain victory after victory. So let's listen 54 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 3: today to God's word. 55 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 2: The battle against Syria had taken its toll on Judah. 56 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 2: Hundreds of men were lost, and a battle meant for 57 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 2: another kingdom. King Ahab had taken advantage of their alliance 58 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: to win back a city he had lost as a 59 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 2: result King Jehosaphad was forced into a battle. God did 60 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 2: not intend for him to fight. Ahab was slain, The 61 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:17,119 Speaker 2: battle was lost, and now the King of Judah returned home. 62 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 2: Dejected and ashamed. Jehosephad walked into the palace and removed 63 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:25,719 Speaker 2: his armor. He was sore from battle and travel, his 64 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 2: bones ached, and his heart was heavy because of the 65 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:32,039 Speaker 2: loss of his men, all seemed dark and the once 66 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 2: bright and shining kingdom of Judah. Jehosaphad sat down on 67 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 2: his throne, closed his eyes and released a deep sigh. 68 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:43,839 Speaker 2: Then he heard the doors open abruptly in front of him. 69 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 2: Walking in was a prophet by the name of Jehu. 70 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 2: A look of disappointment was clear on his face. He 71 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 2: approached the run down king and spoke forcibly. Why would 72 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 2: you align yourself with people who clearly hate the lord? 73 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,479 Speaker 2: He asked the king, God's anger is kindled against you. 74 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 2: Tears began to stream down Jehosephat's face as he listened 75 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 2: to je who scold him. He knew he had compromised 76 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:12,480 Speaker 2: the integrity of his kingdom. He had worked so hard 77 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 2: to remove the idols and false gods from the land, 78 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 2: and now he had partnered with the corrupt kingdom of Israel. 79 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 2: He lowered his head in sadness. Jehu saw the remorse 80 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 2: on the king's face. He breathed deeply for a moment 81 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 2: and changed his tone. He walked up and put a 82 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 2: gentle hand on Jehosephat's shoulder. Even so, there is much 83 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 2: good in you, my king. You have removed all the 84 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 2: false gods from this land. You have committed yourself and 85 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:46,039 Speaker 2: the kingdom to God. With those words, Jehu left his 86 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 2: king to be with the Lord. Jehosephad arose the next 87 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 2: morning with purpose and vision for the future of Judah. 88 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 2: He left his home in Jerusalem to travel the land. 89 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 2: He visited every city, far, village, and family in the land. 90 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 2: He would pray for them, speak with them, and listen 91 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:06,719 Speaker 2: to the needs of his people. He would encourage them 92 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 2: to return to the Lord. If they had strayed, he 93 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,239 Speaker 2: would remind them of their rich heritage in God. Then, 94 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 2: in each part of the country he went, he would 95 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 2: appoint a judge over them. These judges would help fortify 96 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: the towns and lead the people in any disputes. He 97 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 2: gave them specific order to act justly and think carefully 98 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 2: about each and every trial that came their way. Remember, 99 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 2: he would order them, you do not live to please 100 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:36,120 Speaker 2: the people, but the Lord. May he be with you 101 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 2: in every case. Fear the Lord, judge with integrity, and 102 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:45,600 Speaker 2: do not tolerate corruption. When jehoseph had returned from his travels, 103 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,040 Speaker 2: he appointed some levites and priests to be clan leaders 104 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 2: over the city. They would oversee cases involving the law 105 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 2: of God and justice over civil disputes. He encouraged the 106 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 2: men to stay away from a corrupt heart and pursue 107 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,920 Speaker 2: righteousness at all costs. They were to have the final 108 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:05,719 Speaker 2: say as judges over the land and matters too large 109 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 2: for the smaller judges. So slowly, Jehosephad began to bring 110 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 2: a culture of love and justice to the people of Judah. However, 111 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 2: darkness lurked in the wilderness, awaiting a perfect time to 112 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 2: strike the peaceful people of Judah. The Moabites and Ammonites 113 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 2: aligned together to overtake the people of Judah. They amassed 114 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 2: a great and mighty army to come against Jehosephad and 115 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 2: the men of God. Their military might was so vast 116 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 2: that Jehosephad could not dream of defeating them. On his own. 117 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 2: So Jehosephad assembled the entire nation of Judah to pray 118 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 2: and fast to the Lord for help. Together, they sought 119 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 2: wisdom and protection from the threatening Horde approaching, and Judah 120 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 2: assembled to seek help from the Lord. From all the 121 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 2: cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. Men, women, 122 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 2: and children joined Jehosephad in prayer, seeking him and leaning 123 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: on his wisdom. Finally, the Lord spoke to Jehosephad, saying, 124 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 2: do not be afraid. Do not be dismayed, for the 125 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 2: battle is not yours but mine. Tomorrow you shall go 126 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,560 Speaker 2: down against them. When they ascend, you will find them 127 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 2: in a valley towards the east. I promise you that 128 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:22,840 Speaker 2: you will not need to fight this battle. Hold your 129 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 2: position and watch the salvation of God unfold before you. 130 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 2: Jehosephat bowed his head and fell flat on the ground. 131 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:35,000 Speaker 2: He worshiped God, arose and prepared his men for battle. 132 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 2: They went into the wilderness towards the east, as God 133 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:42,840 Speaker 2: had commanded. Jejosephad stood before his people. They were ensye 134 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 2: for a fight. Many of them did not quite trust 135 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:49,960 Speaker 2: that God would provide victory for them without fighting Jeosephad 136 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 2: raised his voice for all to hear. 137 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 3: Hear me. 138 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:57,760 Speaker 2: Believe in the Lord your God, he shouted. As he 139 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 2: was speaking, they could see the Ammonite and Moabe army 140 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 2: partnered with the people of mountcir forming in the distance. 141 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 2: The earth shook at their numbers. The three people groups 142 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 2: rumbled and prepared for battle against Judah. Slowly they began 143 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 2: to make their march towards the armies of Judah. Jehosephat 144 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 2: stood his ground. It was tempting to not call his 145 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 2: archers to the front, but instead he did something so 146 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 2: wildly unorthodox that there has never been a commander to 147 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 2: so sits. Jehosephat called forth the musicians of Judah to 148 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 2: the front of the battle lines. The king stood among 149 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:39,199 Speaker 2: them and raised his hands towards the battlefield. Give thanks 150 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 2: to God, he shouted, for his love endures forever, and 151 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 2: like a mighty roar, the voices of Judah sang praises 152 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 2: to God along with the music. As they sang praises 153 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 2: to God, the people of mountcir Re routed, and the 154 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 2: Moabites and the Ammonites pursued them. The men of Judah 155 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 2: watched as the confused and divided, Ali lions began destroying 156 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 2: one another. They listened to the clanging of metal and 157 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 2: bones clashed in the distance. A civil war broke out 158 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 2: in real time before them, and the Moabide and Ammonite 159 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 2: armies were completely consumed by one another. Silence fell upon 160 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 2: the valley, and the people of Judah approached the scorched 161 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:23,320 Speaker 2: earth where the battle had taken place. Blood and dust 162 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 2: covered the atmosphere, and riches lay on the floor for 163 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 2: the taking. The Lord had provided victory without any need 164 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 2: for them to lift up a spear. Thus, Jehosephat reigned 165 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 2: over Judah for twenty five years. His heart for the 166 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 2: Lord mirrored that of his forefather, David. He dedicated the 167 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 2: rest of his rule towards the flourishing of his people, 168 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 2: as they honored God and one another. His kindness, wisdom, 169 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 2: and justice was well known among the land. Tales of 170 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 2: God's victory against the Moabide and Ammonite armies protected them 171 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 2: from trouble for years to come. 172 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:06,959 Speaker 3: As we begin today's reading, Jehosephat has been defeated in battle. 173 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 3: His alliance with Ahab and Israel had proven costly for 174 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 3: his nation, though not as costly as for Ahab, who 175 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 3: lost his life to the Syrian army. Still, Jehosephat knew 176 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 3: his decision to align himself with a man like Ahab 177 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 3: had come at a great cost, So it wasn't a 178 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:29,840 Speaker 3: surprise when Jehosephat faced a prophet by the name of Jehu. 179 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 3: Jehu came with a message from God. Jehu told the 180 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 3: king that God's anger had been stirred by Jehosephat when 181 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:40,720 Speaker 3: he went into battle. He knew that God did not 182 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 3: desire him to fight. Jehosephat did not make excuses, nor 183 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 3: did he lash out at the messenger. He listened to 184 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 3: the prophet, and the next words he heard surely gave 185 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 3: him great comfort and consolation. For Jehu then said that 186 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 3: God saw the good in the king, his cleansing the 187 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 3: country of idolatry and sin and seeking after the law 188 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:08,800 Speaker 3: of the Lord. This had not gone unnoticed by God. 189 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 3: In life, God will choose to discipline us when we 190 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 3: need it, but that is for the purpose of correcting us. 191 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 3: And God is now correcting Jehosephat like a good father 192 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 3: would correct his son, and all the while he is 193 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 3: extending grace and mercy to the king because God knew 194 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:31,440 Speaker 3: his heart and the heart of Jehosephat was one that 195 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 3: sought justice, honor, and to turn the people back to God. 196 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 3: He traveled throughout the nation to advise people to go 197 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 3: back to the Lord. The nation needed revival. He knew 198 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 3: that his task was too big for one man, even 199 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:51,480 Speaker 3: though he was a king. So Jehosephat appointed judges to 200 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 3: each region to protect the town's settle disputes, and maintain order. 201 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 3: God is, after all, a god of order and justice, 202 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 3: not chaos and confusion. He gave careful instructions to the 203 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 3: judges as to how to follow God's will and not 204 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 3: man's desires. He then appointed priests and levites to rule 205 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 3: on matters of justice and God's law. Slowly, steadily, surely, 206 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 3: Judah was returning to a place of dependence upon God. And, 207 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 3: as so often happens in life, when things began to 208 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:33,599 Speaker 3: take shape and fall into place, another threat arose. The Moabites, 209 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:37,080 Speaker 3: the Ammonites, and the Meunites began to assemble to attack. 210 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:42,079 Speaker 3: This was no small army, and Jehosaphat knew they were 211 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:45,199 Speaker 3: too great a foe to overcome even with a powerful army. 212 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 3: So in Second Chronicles twenty verses three and four, here's 213 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 3: what we read. Then Jehosephat was afraid and set his 214 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 3: face to seek the Lord and proclaimed to fast throughout 215 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 3: all Judah and Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord. 216 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 3: From all the cities of Judah that came to seek 217 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 3: the Lord, do you see what is happening here? The 218 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 3: king doesn't know what to do. There's a battle that 219 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:13,559 Speaker 3: is coming, and he feels so unqualified. So what did 220 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 3: he do? He called the nation to fast and pray. 221 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 3: He gets on his knees and he seeks the Lord. 222 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:23,600 Speaker 3: He even says, Lord, we do not know what to do, 223 00:14:24,040 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 3: but our eyes are on you. Prayer is a powerful 224 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 3: spiritual weapon. In fact, prayer is a kind of battlefield 225 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 3: in which we fight our spiritual battles. And because Jehosephat 226 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 3: begins to pray and obey, the nation of Judah joins 227 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 3: him in the fasting and praying. And God answered with 228 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 3: reassurance and told the king not to fear that the 229 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 3: battle was won. The victory was already his. So when 230 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 3: it was time for the battle, the army assembled, but 231 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 3: rather than lead with archers and swords, soldiers Jehosephat called 232 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 3: the musicians to the front line, and with great shouts 233 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:10,000 Speaker 3: of praise, they proclaim the enduring love of God and 234 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 3: his goodness to his people. The battle begins with praise. Miraculously, 235 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 3: the enemy turned on itself, waging a battle that Judah's 236 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 3: fighters never even had to fight until the enemy was 237 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 3: completely destroyed. So, just as God had promised, victory was 238 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 3: given to Judah that day. Praise is the victory because 239 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 3: praise enters in the presence of God, and God responds 240 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 3: when his people pray and praise him. That day would 241 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:43,920 Speaker 3: live on in memory as a sign of God's enduring 242 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 3: faithfulness and goodness. And to this very day we sing 243 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 3: and we worship God, knowing that there is victory in 244 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 3: our savior. Dear God, we thank you for Jehosephat's example 245 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:02,000 Speaker 3: in today's message, Lord, that we don't know what to do, 246 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 3: that our problems are so perplexing and so difficult, that 247 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 3: we have no idea as to what we are to say, 248 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,200 Speaker 3: what we are to pray. But when we don't know 249 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:15,360 Speaker 3: what to do, we keep our eyes on You. We 250 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 3: trust in you and seek your face, because we know 251 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 3: that you will fight our battles and that the battle 252 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:26,800 Speaker 3: is the Lord's in Christ's name. Amen. Thank you for 253 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 3: listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor 254 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 3: Jack Graham of Dallas, Texas. I would encourage you to 255 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 3: download the Prey dot com app and certainly to make 256 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 3: Bible study and prayer a priority in your life. I 257 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 3: would encourage you to go to church and be a 258 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 3: part of a Bible believing, Christ exalting church. If you 259 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 3: enjoyed this podcast, tell a friend, let someone else know, 260 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 3: because the Word of God changes lives. And if you 261 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 3: want more resources as to how you can know and 262 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 3: love God and follow Him all the days of your life, 263 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 3: be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org as we 264 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 3: have many resources available to you as you journey with 265 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:08,200 Speaker 3: the Lord. God bless you.