If God Be For Us...

Who Can Be Against Us?

Romans 8:31

What shall we say then 
to these things?

If God be for us, 
who can be against us?

A threat of war loomed in II Chronicles 20:1-25, an invasion by Moab. Jehoshaphat was a leader, king over Judah who knew his Great and Mighty Resource was the God of his fathers. And in a time when men go forth to battle, Jehoshaphat knew God would deliver.

Easy to say? We hear a lot of rhetoric these days. Every politician has a great idea, a great word straight from his own personal lips about how to fix a nation gone wrong spiritually, physically, morally and humanly speaking. And humanly speaking—there is no cure for our condition. We are a nation who has forgotten God. Our moral compass has gone haywire. It is broken, and we are splintered and divided. Powerless because of the direction we have taken. We are fearful of the future and rightfully so.

In verse 3 of our chapter, King Jehoshaphat’s problem was not the same as ours, but it was severe enough that the King admitted his fear. And being fearful for his nation and people, he exercised his God-endued responsibility. He sought the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. A very important exercise on his part, for it united the people. They came together to pray and seek God’s face (II Chronicles 7:14). Remember this great verse, though from God’s mouth to Solomon’s ears, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

God, who promised—God who never fails on his good promise—was obliged to answer Jehoshaphat because of his commitment to doing life God’s way. So he prayed before the people, invoking the God of Heaven, attributing “power and might” such that “none is able to withstand ….” He recognized God’s Sovereign attributes as Creator, Ruler, and Destroyer of the Enemy through His power and might.

Jehoshaphat and the people united as one, and they acknowledged their dependence upon God when they cried out, “We don’t know what to do!” Music to God’s ears. He loves that kind of prayer. It is admitting our dependence upon Him. But that was not the end. They didn’t throw up their hands in defeat as we so often do when we are failing under the weight of circumstance.

No! They cried out, “… but our eyes are upon thee.” Hallelujah!

And then notice what they did in verse 13. “And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.”

They stood! In awe, they stood in God’s presence even though they did not see Him. His presence was overwhelming. This brings to mind a powerful thought. They didn’t sit. They stood before King Jehoshaphat, who stood before the God of Israel.

As spirit-filled believers, we are at war. At war against a litany of foes: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places.

Paul in Ephesians 6 instructs us to take the whole armour of God and to—stand. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace …” And in verse 18, “praying always…”

Great instructions. Sufficient for the hour. That gets us to the battle. But what gets us through the battle? God’s instructions to Jehoshaphat were in verses 16 and 17:

(1)   Tomorrow, go down against them

(2)   Set yourselves and stand still

(3)   See the salvation of the Lord

(4)   Don’t be afraid, don’t be dismayed

(5)   The Lord will be there

So—the people cried and wimped out? No! Their king bowed low to the ground, and so did the people fall before the Lord, and they worshipped Him (verse 18).

And just how did God respond?

To be continued …

Victor W. Baugh, Sr., Th.D., Ph.D.

Pastor, St. Luke AME Church

Moundville, AL