Sunday School in 7Minutes "Faith and Encouragement" 2 Chronicles 20:5-20 ISSL: 01 21 2024

Sunday School in 7Minutes
Faith and Encouragement
2 Chronicles 20:5-20
ISSL: 01.21.2024
• Sunday School in 7Minu...
This lesson is from the Old Testament. We witness faith and leadership under pressure.
King Jehoshaphat, a descendant of King David, ascended to the throne of Judah (the southern half of a divided Israel). he took the throne with a heart committed to the Lord. King Jehoshaphat continued the reforms initiated by his father Asa, eliminating idolatrous practices and promoting the knowledge of God's law among the people.
But Jehoshaphat faced a formidable challenge when three nearby nations-Moab, Ammon, and Edom-formed a confederacy to invade Judah.
Amid this crisis, Jehoshaphat's response is both instructive and inspiring. Instead of relying solely on military might or political prowess, Jehoshaphat turns to prayer and fasting. He puts God first, acknowledging his own helplessness and seeking divine guidance.
Imagine the weight on Jehoshaphat's shoulders as the news of the impending invasion reached him. He could have chosen to panic or rely on his army, but he chose a different path-a path of humility and dependence on God.
Jehoshaphat's humility is particularly noteworthy. In a culture where kings were expected to exude strength and confidence.
But Jehoshaphat openly admits his fear and vulnerability. The king gathers the nation for a prayer meeting, publicly acknowledging his reliance on God in the face of impending danger.
As the people assemble for prayer, a prophet rises among them, delivering a message of assurance and encouragement from God. Jehoshaphat, demonstrating further humility, accepts this message without reservation, acknowledging the prophet as the vessel through which God speaks.
The response to this divine message is remarkable. The people, recognizing the sovereignty of God, fall down in worship and then rise to sing praises. It's essential to grasp the significance of their actions-they were not armed for battle, but armed with songs of praise. This act of faith, this obedient response to God's word, becomes a powerful lesson for us today.
Jehoshaphat's reliance on God teaches us that prayer is not a last resort but a first response. In our daily challenges, whether personal or collective, our immediate instinct should be to seek God's guidance and intervention. Instead of succumbing to panic, anger, or over-reliance on our own strength, we must follow Jehoshaphat's example and prioritize prayer.
In the morning, the people march to the battlefield. Prognosticators would predict their demise. After all worldly odds were against them.
but armed with faith and praise,
they illustrate the important relationship between reliance on God and obedience to His Word.
Their faith was not passive; it was active, demonstrated by their willingness to march into battle based on God's promise. This mirrors the essence of our salvation-where God saves us, and we lean into that by our joyful obedience to His Word.
As we face the challenges of our time, let us learn from Jehoshaphat's unwavering trust in God. Like him, let us put prayer first, acknowledging our dependence on the Almighty. Let our faith be vibrant and active, expressing itself through obedience to God's Word. May we stand firm, armed with the powerful weapon of prayer, knowing that our victory ultimately rests in God's hands.
As MC we must heed Jehoshaphat's call to trust in the Lord. By doing so, we establish ourselves in the faith, ready to succeed in the battles we encounter.