Response In Times of Crisis

Introduction:-
Jehoshaphat was the 4th King of Judah (Northern Kingdom of Israel – He reigned for 25 years). Jehoshaphat was a wealthy and powerful King. He was also among the very few good and God fearing Kings that Judah had in its history. This is because, looking back to the history of Judah, we read that Judah and Israel was ruled by many wicked, ungodly Kings who dishonored YHWH. Among this entire wicked Kings, Jehoshaphat was one of the good ones.

Context:-
· 2 Chronicles 20:1 - 4; are set in the context of the worst crisis that Jehoshaphat faced in his 25 years of reign in Judah. It was when 3 of Judah’s enemies (the Ammonites, Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir) came to destroy Judah. Verse 3: Tells us how troubled the king got when he came to know that Judah is about to be invaded by enemies – Jehoshaphat realized how helpless he and the whole of Judah were in facing the enemies. This was when he realized that only God could help them and without God’s help, surely the enemies will trample Judah.
· The crisis that he was facing was a great one, but his response in times of crisis that matters the most for us today.

Response:-
1. He declared a fast (Vs. 3).

What is the significance of fasting? Today we fast almost everyday during lent. Some of us fast for few days in a week. However, have we actually asked why do we fast? Friends, fasting are a sign of total dependability on God. Here, when Jehoshaphat declared a nation wide fast, his gesture signifies that he and whole of Judah comes under total dependence of YHWH to help them to win the battle over their enemies.

2. They Prayed.

Verse 5-13 tells us that Jehoshaphat and whole of Judah prayed. They cried out to the Lord for His intervention. They realized that their military strength and all their means of effort would fail in facing their enemies. Their enemies were much greater than they were and Judah is sure to die unless God intervenes and saves His people. Judah’s state of helplessness is seen in vs. 12.

** As they were praying – we see the words of assurance coming from the Lord. In their powerless and hopeless state, as they earnestly fasted and prayed to God, God’s assurance comes to them. Verse 15 tells that God gives a “Fear not” oracle – for the battle no longer belong to Judah but it is Gods’.

3. They Sang and Praised (vs. 21).

All that Judah did on the day of the battle was to sing God’s praises. They did not take their spear or armor. All that they did was praising God. Verse 22 tell us that as they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against their enemies. The 3 enemies who came united to trample and destroy Judah started killing each other. Friend in times of crisis, if God intervenes, He gives us a complete victory. Verse 24 tells us that not even one of Judah enemies were spared in the battle – God utterly destroyed all of them and gave Judah the total victory in the battle.

Conclusion:-
·What is our response today in times of crisis? Whatever our crisis may be, no matter how great our crises are, how do we response in times of crisis?
· Are you facing crisis at work? Are you facing crisis in your family – is your marriage shaken up? Are your children straying away from the Lord? Are you in a serious financial debt? What is your crisis? – Turn to God, he is able to set you free from your crisis, he is able to liberate you from your crisis and give you a total victory over it. The God who saved Judah is also our God and no circumstances are too great for Him. He is El-Shaddai @ Almighty God.
· What is our response in times of crisis? Are we turning to God in total dependability as Jehoshaphat and Judah did or do we look first into all the other resources and depend on others for remedy?
· Friend, let us turn to God in times of crisis. The Psalmist says in Ps. 121:1 that he lifts up his eyes to the hills from where his help come from. Our God who is the creator of heaven and earth is able to deliver us from our crisis. Let us indeed earnestly seek him and be saved.