“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.” 

2nd Chronicles 20:17

King Jehoshaphat was facing impossible odds. The great enemy horde was headed their direction. The clock was ticking. In fact, there were three different enemy foes that were headed towards Jerusalem. The writing was on the wall. His time—the time for all of Judah—was almost up. 

When was a time you were a dead man walking? You had no shot and no way out. The odds were not in your favor and the end was eminent.

This is Jehoshaphat in this moment. This is all of Judah. Chapter 20 of 2nd Chronicles tells the story. In a last ditch effort, King Jehoshaphat calls all the people together. “All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children” (vs 13). They gathered together to pray and worship. 

It turns out, in the Lord’s economy, prayer and worship is the greatest reverser of odds. Prayer and worship changes everything.

The Spirit of the Lord moves and gives a vision to Jahaziel—His name means “God sees.” This vision is shared. There are several parts to the vision, but the most significant is today’s verse. “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.”

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is the week we set apart to remember, worship, and witness the work of God to redeem the world. The work of Jesus to redeem you. This week your eternal salvation is won. This week, a path to Heaven unfolds by the blood of Jesus. 

Truth be told, our odds were overwhelming too. Dead in our trespasses. The enemy was at the gates—all three of them. Sin, death, and the devil were marching your way. 

As you enter into this Holy Week, here again the promise of God. 

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.”

The instructions from the Lord for King Jehoshaphat were to take his army down to the battlefield to watch. The Lord wanted Him to have a front row seat to the work the Lord was about to accomplish. The same is true for you this week. Take a front row seat. The battle belongs to the Lord this week. He is the one who wins.

In fact, King Jehoshaphat didn’t just go down to watch the battle with his people. He appointed the choir to lead the charge. The army was lead into battle by the people chosen to sing praise to the Lord. “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” This was their battle cry. This was their victory song. 

I hope you will join the choir this week. Draw close and witness the victory of God. Lift your voice in praise. Celebrate God’s holy, redeeming, and triumphant work. And rest easy. Rest easy knowing that this week the battle belongs to the Lord. It’s in His hands. It’s always been in His hands.