Was there ever a time in your life when you felt like giving up or felt like you couldn’t cope? That your struggles were just too great? Did you ever feel like your burdens were so heavy that you couldn’t breathe? I was at one of the lowest points in my life when I stumbled upon the scripture passage from 2 Chronicles 20: 1-34. At that time, I felt overwhelmed, burdened, and tired, as though the obstacles I faced were too much to overcome. This passage of scripture reminded me and reassured me that I wasn’t alone, that I didn’t have to deal with my struggles on my own, and it is my approach to the situation that makes all the difference.
 

Jehoshaphat's Story 

The scripture passage tells the story of how King Jehoshaphat defeated the neighbouring armies of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir. The three territories had joined forces and made plans to ambush the Kingdom of Judah to take control of the land. When King Jehoshaphat heard about these plans, he became alarmed and overwhelmed because Judah didn’t have such a vast army to collectively defeat the men of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir.
 

So, what then did King Jehoshaphat do? He sought the Lord in prayer. He along with, the nation of Judah, engaged in a time of prayer and fasting. After this time of prayer and fasting, God answered them and said, “DO NOT BE AFRAID OR DISCOURAGED BECAUSE OF THIS VAST ARMY. FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S”. So, King Jehoshaphat did what God had commanded him to do and gathered his men to set out to meet their enemies. He also appointed a praise team of singers to go before the army shouting “Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever”. The scripture tells us that it wasn’t until the praise team began singing and praising God, did He move against their enemies. God caused confusion in the enemy’s camp which led the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to turn against each other. Jehoshaphat and his army were victorious and didn’t need to use any weapons or engage in warfare to gain this victory, just as the Lord had said.

So, let’s stop to think about this. This king and his nation were facing a real physical battle, one they didn’t think they could win. Was there first thought to strategies? NO. Did they try to accumulate more weaponry? NO. What did they DO? They prayed and fasted along with singing and offering praises to God, thanking Him for His mercy and love. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? But did they win? YES.

So, my question is. Do we take the same approach in our lives when we are facing battles? Do we first seek God, thanking Him for who He is and what He has done and His faithfulness to us, even when we are facing battles, we don’t think we can overcome? Are we obedient when we ask for His help amid our trials? Or do we tend to rely on our own strength, believing we can solve it on our own?

After reading this scripture, I understood why I felt so overwhelmed, burdened, and tired. It was because I was fighting battles that were not mine to bear. I realised that in my time of distress I didn’t seek God or asked for His help. I instead relied on my own strength and expertise because I thought I was smart enough to figure it out. We all could learn a thing or two from this story. I learnt that the battles I am facing don’t have to be mine to fight as long as I seek God, ask for His help, be willing to obey, and relinquish all control to Him. Let us remember that sometimes in life, The Battle Is Not Ours to Fight But God’s.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“

- John 16:33