Israel had received some advanced notice that not one but three armies were on their way and intent on their destruction. Their king, Jehoshaphat, calls for a nationwide fast to seek help from the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:3-4) and at the assembly the king prays a candid but desperate prayer calling upon God to keep his promise (2 Chronicles 20:6-12). It contains three questions: "Are you not . . .?", "Did you not . . .?" and "Will you not . . .?".
The prayer ends with their back against the wall, but their eyes focused, not on the bully, but on their Savior.
"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
To which God answers through the Levite Zechariah who then spoke through the Spirit our call to worship this week:
You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
They go out to battle, led by worship. They sing:
2 Chronicles 20:21b
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures forever.”
For, God's promise of "steadfast love" (ḥeseḏ) cannot be broken . . . and they watch as their enemies consume each other!
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