discipleup podcast

Disciple Up #272

War Stories Pt. 5: Who’s In Charge Here? - 2 Chron 20:1-30

By Louie Marsh, 8-24-2022

 

Intro – Tales From the Scrypt on tap during my trip to Malawi IF I can get it done in time!

 

2  Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 2 Chronicles 20:2 (ESV)

 

To Keep Christ 1st in My Life I need too…

 

1) Go to God and..

 

4  And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 5  And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 2 Chronicles 20:4-5 (ESV)

 

• REMEMBER who God is!

 

6  and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 2 Chronicles 20:6 (ESV)

 

24  And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, Acts 4:24 (ESV)

 

•  REVIEW my spiritual history.

 

7  Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8  And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 2 Chronicles 20:7-8 (ESV)

 

25  who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? Acts 4:25 (ESV)

 

• RENEW my commitment to Christ!

 

9  ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 2 Chronicles 20:9 (ESV)

 

Has the heaviness of your old-fashioned church got you weighted down? Try us! We are the New and Improved Lite Church on the River. We feature a 7.5% tithe, a 35-minute worship service with 7 minute sermons. Next Sunday's sermon is on the Feeding of 500.

 

29  And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, Acts 4:29 (ESV)

 

2) ASK & CONFESS at the same time.

 

12  O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)

 

3) HEAR & RESPOND to God’s Word.

 

14  And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15  And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16  Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17  You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:14-17 (ESV)

 

4) When the going gets tough, the tough WORSHIP!

 

18  Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19  And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice… 21  And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 22  And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 2 Chronicles 20:18-22 (ESV)

 

We were gathered at a little Pentecostal-style church where the preacher had had a difficult time getting the congregation involved.... i.e...amens, etc.  This particular Sunday he was preaching on praise and worship.  He never noticed his mistake.   It was hilarious (but embarrassing we thought) as he yelled out "let everything that hath breasts praise the Lord!"

 

5) UNDERSTAND that God blesses UNITY.

 

3  Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4  And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 5  And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 2 Chronicles 20:3-5 (ESV)

 

This lyrics to this hymn were written by Isaac Watts in 1777. Robert Lowery wrote the music that we now use in 1867. Watts wrote this hymn as an answer to his critics who had actually split from churches who sang his "human composed" hymns. Prior to this time, churches only sang hymns from the Psalms.

Because of the controversy between singing of Psalms and the singing of hymns, the church decided to sing Psalms at the beginning of their service and then after the preaching, they would sing hymns. Many people who were still against the hymns would get up and leave the service at this time.

 

Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God