Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Power of United Prayer (Self Assessment 92)
Background: One day the Moabites and Ammonites together with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek Him. Let us zoom into our weekly Bible study and discuss the importance of united prayer and how it moves God to act on our behalf.
Text: 2 Chronicles 20: 13- 19
13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.
17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. Amen
Questions:
i. The first thing the people of Judah did when a vast army approached was to come together and pray. Why do you think united prayer is necessary in every threatening situation?
ii. As they prayed, Jahaziel prophesied that they should not be AFRAID or DISCOURAGED because of the vast army. What is the difference between those two words and how do they work together to our disadvantage each time trouble knocks on our door?
iii. Kindly explain this statement, “For the battle is not yours, but God’s”.
iv. If indeed the battle is the Lord’s, why were the people of Judah still required to march against the enemy?
v. Vrs 17 lays emphasis on the fact that they would not have to fight this battle. All they needed to do was to TAKE UP THEIR POSITION, STAND FIRM AND SEE THE DELIVERANCE THE LORD WILL GIVE THEM. What does it mean to TAKE ONES POSITION AND STAND FIRM?
vi. “GO OUT TO FACE THEM TOMORROW, AND THE LORD WILL BE WITH YOU,” how does this not contradict the initial instruction to take up position and stand firm? How do all these sum up as a military strategy for the people of God?
vii. After the prophecy, Jehoshaphat and all the people worshipped and praised God. What do you think induced such unanimous worship?
viii. What have you learnt to apply from today’s devotion?
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