A Joyful Offense

It was only a matter of time before they were overtaken.

A vast army, composed of the biggest and baddest from from three different countries, traveled a great distance with a lust for conquest.  Having joined forces, they made a formidable foe against the people of the Lord.  Thousands of marching feet kicked up an enormous cloud of dust, seen for miles and driving witnesses to King Jehoshaphat, breathless and white with fear.  Those who overheard the ominous news pulled children closer and contemplated ways of escape. 

"Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD…’O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven?…We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.’" (2 Chronicles 20:3, 6, 12)

Men, women and children of all ages gathered to pray and figure out the best plan of attack.  There wasn’t much time, but there was time enough to pray.  Food was refused and knees were bent, until God spoke:

"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God’s…you will not have to fight this battle.  Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you."  (vs. 15, 17)

Face a massive army without a single weapon????  Is God serious?  Perhaps we misunderstood…  Every other time, God said when and where to fight, giving them victory on every side.  Now He was commanding them to stand and do nothing.  Internal doubt raged, and the urge to mount a powerful offense against their attackers must have been overwhelming.  When death threatens, impulse quickens.

Except for a few Levites.  While every other head was bowed and deep in contemplation, a handful of wild worshipers stood up and started to party like crazy over their God.  Some snickered, while the more reserved glanced with annoyance, but the effect was perfect.  By the next morning, King Jehoshaphat and every last Israelite set out to face their countless enemy.  However, instead of swordsmen and archers leading the way, a choir of men who were head-over-heels about their God paved the course.  Dancing and singing, Jehoshaphat made sure joy was the emotion of the day–not bloodlust, and certainly not fear. 

"’Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.’  As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and  Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated…they helped to destroy one another."  (vs. 21-23)

First they rejoiced.  THEN God delivered.  Not an enemy was left standing.  And God’s children never raised a finger.  Only voices.  And hearts.  And hands in joyful worship of a God who was more than able. 

I’m not sure which vast army you face.  Perhaps multiple forces are coming against you all at once.  Panic is tempting, and retaliation appealing.  What would happen, however, if we’d take a moment to find our knees and resolve to inquire of the Lord?  Prayer has a way of changing our perspective.  We might end up jumping up with a loud voice raised in a mighty ruckus toward a even mightier God.  

As Jehoshaphat discovered, when it comes to overwhelming odds, your best defense is joyful offense.