The Battle is the Lord's

God’s word gives instructions in becoming a true worshiper. Setting your face to seek the Lord, just as Jehoshaphat did in 2 Chronicles 20, is the first step. Learning what God has done, according to His word, and praying what God has done with clear confessions of truth is essential in the process of becoming a true worshiper. The next lesson in the story of Jehoshaphat is key; listen to what God will say and then watch Him do it.

         The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 20:14 – 15, “And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel, the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah…thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid, nor dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” Notice the endings on the names of these three Levites, el, ah, ah; their names identified them as having a personal relationship with God. The Levites were given the responsibility to teach Israel the word of God. They led them in worship and taught them the ways of God. The Levites were not given any land in the Promised Land; they were given cities to live in that were scattered throughout all the land of Israel so that they lived among the people in order to teach them. God was their inheritance. Jahaziel was about to speak God’s word, as well as from his experience of being taken care of by God as a Levite.

         The word Jahaziel spoke was very particular, “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. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf.” He told them when to go out, where to go out, where to find them, in order to watch God fight for them. The phrase “stand firm” is the Hebrew word yahtsab, which means to present before another. It is one of the words for worship, as people would stand before the Lord, presenting themselves before Him as His servants. They were about to engage in a worship war; the kind that pleases the Father!

         The phrase “hold your position” is the Hebrew word ahmad, which means to abide, to remain, the position of a servant before his master. The Greek companion of this word is menow, which Jesus used in John 15:1 – 8 describing how His followers would “abide in Him” and bear fruit. Both of these words and phrases, yahtsab and ahmad describe the position of true worshiper. God told His people to worship Him without fear of the approaching threat. And they listened to Him.

         But how do you know when God is speaking to you, and how can you know for sure what He is saying to you? First, like Jehoshaphat, always set your face to seek the Lord in a position of worship. Worship is an atmosphere conducive to hearing God. Then, know God’s word. Jehoshaphat reviewed God’s word as he set his face to seek the Lord. Third, God will send a witness to confirm with a particular word. Many times it will be a witness with experience, like Jahaziel, and it will be someone who belongs to Him. But you will recognize the word because it will encourage trust in God, it will be in line with His word, and from someone who belongs to God and walks with Him.

         These three lights, of worship, the word, with a witness from the word, will line up into a laser beam of direction for you. In worship there is an inner witness of the Holy Spirit. In the word of God there is a clear moral witness from God’s eternal word. With the witness, there will be a confirmation of the inner witness in line with the eternal word.

         Today, set your face to seek the Lord. Present yourself before God as His servant. And stay in His presence, abide in Him, and you will see God fight for you. He loves you and is for you. Trust Him today.