A godly battle begins with praying, continues with praising, and ends with picking up the spoils.
As Jehoshaphat concluded his masterly prayer, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel” (2 Chron 20:14). “Listen…Thus says the Lord to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v 15). Well, that’s a relief! If only we would remember that when facing our challenges. Now the Lord reveals His battle plan. “Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz” (v 16). Isn’t it great to know the God who knows even the enemy’s plans? Then comes the easy-hard part: “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you…Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you” (v 17). The easy part? You don’t need to fight; you don’t need to fear. The hard part? Stand still! Does this bring the phrase “sitting ducks” to mind? Often the hardest thing we’re asked to do is—nothing. These words are almost identical to Moses’ words to Israel at the Red Sea crossing (Ex 14:13-14). How did that work out for them? Total victory! No wonder, then, that the king and all his subjects “bowed before the Lord, worshiping” (2 Chron 20:18). Early the next morning, they headed south to the wilderness of Tekoa, and there the king gave the battle cry: “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established” (v 20). Then their secret weapon was unveiled: “those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army” (v 21). How demoralizing to the enemy—singing the victory song before the battle is engaged! I suppose we might say that would make Judah more than conquerors. Sound familiar? (Rom 8:37).