God knows how to meet your deepest need even when you are facing overwhelming situations.
Exodus 17:15 KJV And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi.
Exodus 17:15 CEV Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord Gives Me Victory.”
Exodus 17:15 NKJV And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner.
Moses called the name of his altar, Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord is my banner or the Lord gives me victory.
1 Corinthians 10:13 GNT Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.
- Have you ever had a day when everyone and everything seemed to conspire against you?
- What did you do?
- What do you do when everything seems to come against you?
You need to know that God defends His people.
This happened often to God’s people in the Old Testament. Many times when their enemies came against them with such ferocity and in great numbers that their hearts failed.
2 Chronicles 20:1-2 NKJV It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi).
2 Chronicles 20:3-4 NKJV And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
Shortly after the disasters at Ramoth Gilead, three mighty armies attacked Jehoshaphat from across the Jordan River.
Jehoshaphat learned that this great army was on the western shore of the Dead Sea and was headed for Jerusalem.
There are many examples in the Bible when God defended His people.
2 Chronicles 20 gives a great example of how God defends His people when they faced overwhelming odds.
Israel’s enemies outnumbered them three to one.
It appeared that Jehoshaphat and his people were destined to be defeated.
Sometimes you just feel like everything is against you.
- What do you do when it seems that everything is against you?
- What did God do when it appeared that the odds were against His people?
This story provides principles that we can learn. Here are some lessons to help when fighting for survival.
What can we do when everything is against us?
When more is against you than is for you…Turn to God First!
We must learn to go directly to God. Most people turn to God after they have tried everything else. We go to Mom or Dad. We try every remedy we can find. We seek answers from a friend and then the specialist. We seek advice, and then better advice.
When we have exhausted all of our options, we turn to God.
God needs to be our first resort.
That is what Jehoshaphat did.
In 2 Chronicles 20:1, 3 NLT We are told: “After this, the armies of the Moabites, the Ammonites and the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. He was afraid, so he decided to ask the Lord what to do,”
“After this”… After is a conjunction in this sentence. It refers to something that had just happened. These events came as a result of what had happened.
What happened in 2 Chronicles 19?
2 Chronicles 19 tells us the whole nation had revival. Can you imagine the whole nation turning back to God?
After the blessing, there was a great battle.
Have you ever faced that yourself? You just conquered that mountain and plunged into a valley.
What did Jehoshaphat do when he was terrified?
2 Chronicles 20: 3 tells us, when “he was afraid,” “he decided to ask the Lord what to do.” It is interesting to see how other people act when trouble comes.
How do you react when everything seems to turn against you?
When overwhelming odds are against us, it is a normal thing to become afraid. What we do next is what is important. Does fear drive you to give up before the battle begins? When you become afraid do you turn to God and give the battle over to Him? When the enemy comes in, turn up your faith to expect more from God.
Jehoshaphat turned to God… then he talked to God.
When more is against you than is for you… talk to God about your situation.
Jehoshaphat talked to God about his situation.
2 Chronicles 20:5 After everyone from Judah and Jerusalem came together at the LORD’s temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the new courtyard and prayed…
Jehoshaphat’s model prayer asked God three questions:
2 Chronicles 20:6 NIV Are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.
Whenever we face overwhelming situations, we need to remember who God is.
Face your situation with your focus to God.
Who is the Lord our God?
We must see that the Lord our God is the Almighty God. He is the maker of heaven and earth. Nothing is impossible with Him.
After Jehoshaphat asked “Are you not?” then he asked God: “Did you not?”
2 Chronicles 20:7 NLT Did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived?
We need to focus on what God has done.
Start by remembering all of the miracles God has already done in your life.
- What He did on the cross transformed our faults and failures into full and free forgiveness.
- Remember His miracle in the grave… where God turned death into life.
- Remember the many times He has come through for us.
- Has He saved you?
- Has He healed you?
- Has He provided for your need?
Then Jehoshaphat asked God: “Will You not?”
2 Chronicles 20:12 O our God, will you not stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help.
We can ask God for the same help. That army was too strong and they felt powerless. Your circumstances may be different, but God has not changed. We remember what God has done in the past. If He has helped His people in the past, He can do it again. We need His help one more time.
When you are facing overwhelming situations…
- Turn to God first.
- Talk to God about your situation.
- Tell God exactly how you feel.
That is what Jehoshaphat did.
When Jehoshaphat and his people were outnumbered 3-to-1, he told God: “We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us,” [2 Chronicles 20:12b].
Have you ever felt powerless and you did not know what to do?
You felt like you had no control over what was happening in your life. Your world was spinning out of control and you were about to be trampled under foot.
- We can tell God what we are seeing.
- We can tell God how we feel and what we need.
- Tell God it seems that the enemy is winning.
- We can tell God that we feel powerless.
- We can tell God our honest heartfelt feelings.
- When we are facing overwhelming situations, we don’t even need to pretend that we have power.
- We need to turn our eyes to the Lord and trust in His mighty power.
When you are facing overwhelming situations…
- Turn to God first
- Talk to God about your situation
- Tell God exactly how you feel
- Trust God to help you
Jehoshaphat said: “We are powerless… We do not know what to do… but our eyes are upon you,” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV).
When you feel powerless, do not focus on the problem. You need to keep your eyes on God.
Have you ever listened to yourself talk when you feel overwhelmed?
Our friends ask us, “How are you doing?” And we say, “OK…under the circumstances.” “Under the circumstances!?” What are we doing under the circumstances? We need to pay attention to what we are submitting to. We need to get on top of our circumstances. We need to live above our circumstances.
Someone said: “Circumstances are like a mattress. Get on top of them and you’ll rest. Get underneath and you’ll suffocate.”
Where have you put your eyes right now? If you are discouraged you are not looking at God.
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged… for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Turn your focus on the God who cannot fail.
You have been fighting relentless battles that belong to God. You have been using all your will-power and energy. You keep telling yourself… I’m going to make this work. You have tried to encourage yourself and you have said, “This isn’t going to get the best of me.”
God says: “Time out! This is My battle, not yours!”
You are the Heavenly Father’s child. God is telling you: “I have already invested all of My family resources.” “I have given My Son and My Spirit.” God is telling you: “I will take care of your needs.” He is saying, “I will make this work out.”
We have to understand what it means when the battle is the Lord’s.
God has promised to be your help and your God. He is God and we are His people. We need to let God be God! We need to learn to trust God to be God.
2 Chronicles 20:17 NLT You will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you… Do not be afraid or discouraged… for the Lord is with you!
This is a challenge when you put your trust in God. This is a sign of confidence and faith to stand still and watch the Lord’s victory.
This is what the Lord says for you to do.
2 Chronicles 20:20 NIV84 “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”
You can stand strong with faith in God and what He has said. Stand on the 7,000 promises God has made.
When you are facing overwhelming situations…
- Turn to God first
- Talk to Him about the situation
- Tell Him exactly how you feel
- Trust that He will help you
- Then… thank God in advance.
Before anything happened, Jehoshaphat told his army to start singing and praising God. He told everyone to “Give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love endures forever,” (2 Chronicles 20:21). While they were surrounded by their enemies, everyone was told to start singing and praising God.
2 Chronicles 20:22 NIV84 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men… who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
There is power in praise and worship. There is power in expecting and trusting God to act. There is power in thanking God before anything happens. If you are still facing impossible and overwhelming situations start praising God. Praise Him in faith.
