Throwback: Stuff We Learn from Jehoshaphat

When I was just a fledgling preacher/teacher speaking in front of lots of people from a pulpit,  printed or written down outlines were a necessity since I hadn't had a wealth of preaching experiences to draw from and speak out of.

This is one of my earlier 'teaching' outlines that I used in our now defunct Saturday night service.

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Text: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah and the son of Asa. As one of David's descendants, he had a lifestyle of devotion to God, seeking God, crying out to God, and instructing people in the ways of God. 2 Chronicles 17:3-6, 18:4, 31, and 19:9, 10 give glimpses of this.

Here are seven things we learn from Jehoshaphat's life, particularly during an impending war described in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30.

1. WAR WILL ALWAYS COME UPON YOU (v. 1-2)

Life is a battlefield between two kingdoms -- the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God. Whether you seek it or not, ask for it or not, expect it or not, some other "kingdom" will always want to come and invade your life.

2. MAKE A HABIT OF GOING TO GOD FIRST (v. 3-4)

Jehoshaphat made a lifestyle of seeking God and inquiring of Him, which is a good thing to do because He knows the best way out of a tight situation.

3. MAGNIFY GOD, NOT YOUR PROBLEM (v. 5-12)

When Jehoshaphat started praying to God, he recalled all the mighty things the Lord had done for him and his people in the past. He focused on the size of his God, not the vastness of the army coming to attack him.

4. WHEN YOU SEEK GOD, YOU WILL FIND HIM (v. 14-17)

The king called a fast over the nation and they sought God. The Spirit of the Lord filled the prophet Jahaziel and he spoke the Lord's counsel over the nation. They got instructions from God because they asked for it. When we pray and asked the Lord for wisdom, guidance, etc, we should have expectant hearts to receive His answer.

5. WHEN YOU GET A WORD FROM THE LORD, YOU WILL BE EMBOLDENED TO MOVE FORWARD (v. 20)

Getting a word from the Lord, especially a word of instruction, gives us courage to go forth and do what it is that God calls us to do. In this case, God's counsel gave Jehoshaphat the boldness to encourage his army and go to the battlefield.

6. WHEN YOU TRUST AND OBEY GOD, HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENEMIES. (v. 22-24)

God keeps His promises. Always. He promised the people of Judah they won't have to fight this battle and that they will see their deliverance; He did just that. He took care of their enemies and He will take care of our enemies if we put our trust in Him and obey His commands and instructions.

7. THE VICTORIES GOD GIVES YOU, PAVES THE WAY FOR HIS NAME AND FAME TO BE KNOWN (v. 27-30)

When God delivers you and takes you through your battle, reports of it point the glory to God and lifts up faith in others.