Defeating the Enemy

Defeating the Enemy: 2 Chronicles 20:1-23

Jehoshaphat was informed in verse 2 that his enemies were coming against him from afar. In verse 3, it says Jehoshaphat FEARED and he began to seek the Lord with praying, fasting, and even in verses 5-9 he stood in the assembly and proclaimed Gods promises. Then in verses 10-12, Jehoshaphat sounded defeated...he was whining, saying they were helpless and they did not know what to do!

2 Chronicles 20:15

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.



Then God gave him specific instructions in verse 16-17.

1.      He said first to go down against them. They did not sit around whining and crying or complaining. He told them to meet their enemy face to face. However, they did not have to fight....

2.      Then He told them to take a position! What is your position? It means to take a stand, present yourself, or stand with someone.

This is important. Remember when you were in high school, and the kids would bully you? What happened when you took a stand? What happened if you presented yourself during a challenge? Better yet-what happened when your friend(s) was with you?

· Your enemy would think twice about messing with you

· they may just walk away

· they may get scared themselves

Many times their bark is loud but they do not bite, they are terrorist! The devil is a terrorist! They operate on you fear, but when you do not get scared they are disarmed!

       3. Then they were commanded to stand still, and watch the Lord’s victory. To stand still-means to stop (moving or doing), to cease. Hold still and stop trying to fix it yourself. Remember in verse 15 it says that the battle is NOT YOURS! You just take a stand and hold still (stare the devil down). In high school, many of the fights were motionless; all they would do is stare each other down. Get ghetto with the devil, take a stand and stand still!

After Jehoshaphat received direction from God, he bowed his head and worshiped (verse 18). Worship always prepares you for the battle.

2 Chronicles 20:20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way, Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “LISTEN TO ME, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! BELIEVE IN THE LORD YOUR GOD and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Believing God is a requirement to becoming victorious. That is the only way you will be able to stand firm!

2 Chronicles 20:21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”

Now when Jehoshaphat went to meet his enemies (face to face), he went shouting and praising the Lord, giving thanks to Him.

He was giving thanks to God before he even won the victory…

In the Message version, it says:

2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (MSG) As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. The Ammonites and Moabites mistakenly attacked those from Mount Seir and massacred them. Then, further CONFUSED, they went at each other, and all ended up killed.

 Jehoshaphat turned the tables on the devil...instead of him getting confused---his praises confused his ENEMIES! Start confusing the devil, start shouting praise!

1.      Don’t hide

2.      Stand your ground

3.      Hold Still

4.      Get Gods direction

5.      Worship Him

6.      Start shouting, praising, and giving thanks to the Lord!

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and Jump off. You sit still and trust the Engineer. ~ Jesse Madrid Ramirez ~