When we are facing a crisis, when we seek God in the midst of the crisis and when God answers, we must respond to the Lord. Jehoshaphat was in a crisis. He sought the Lord. The Lord gave Jehoshaphat a prophetic word. Jehoshaphat responded.
“Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud voice. Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” ” (2 Chronicles 20:18–21, NIV84)
Jehoshaphat’s first response was to worship. He humbled himself and bowed before God. He was humble. He recognized the greatness and the authority of God. He created room in his heart for the Word that God spoke. Jehoshaphat began to worship God before his battle was won. Jehoshaphat worshipped God in the midst of his crisis. The first step to victory is to worship God. Worship enthrones God. Worship destroys the battle plans of the enemy. Worship is a weapon of our warfare.
Now Jehoshaphat was empowered and filled with faith to face his crisis. He assembled his men to prepare to face the battle. What Jehoshaphat received from the Lord in the prophetic Word, he spoke to the people. He encouraged the people with the same prophetic word. Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” By speaking what God spoke, he demonstrated and activated faith in the Word of God. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. ” (Romans 10:17, NIV84)
Jehoshaphat believed what God said. God said the victory belonged to the Lord. So even in battle Jehoshaphat worshipped. The army was led by worshippers. “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
When you believe God, you will worship Him. Worship is what we were created for. Worship is an expression of love and trust. Worship is an expression of faith. Worship God in the season of crisis. Worship God for His promises over your life. Worship God as a weapon of warfare. Never stop worshipping God.
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