Prepare For War (3)
SOMETIMES, it is a confederation of enemies against you. And they come from unexpected quarters. Even the people you have treated well in the past can just rise suddenly to declare war against you. Does this happen? Yes! Most people are destroyed today by the persons or interests close to them. People that you take into confidence. Three nations gathered against Judah – Moab, Ammon and Edom. These were relations of Judah (Israel). Moab and Ammon are the descendants of Lot, while Edomites are descendants of Esau. And God had prevented Israel from destroying these people, when they were passing through their land as they (Israel) came out of Egypt; reminding them that they were their relations. But look at the turn of events. The same people have gathered to attack and chase the people of God away from their inherited land. Are your battles coming from such unexpected quarters?
When King Jehoshaphat learnt that these three nations were coming against his country, he quickly mobilised the entire country (men, women, and children) to seek the face of God. He didn’t go first to take the inventory of his armoury. He had soldiers and weapons, but he first summoned the people from all the towns of Judah to fast and pray. And he led the prayers. This clearly shows you where his confidence lies. The word of God said that trusting in the arms of flesh, human wisdom, power and connection would always fail. We must learn to always take our matters to God, and then He will lead us to victory.
The King of Judah standing in front of the courtyard at the Temple prayed, “O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God Who is in Heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O our God, did you not drive out those that lived in this land when your people arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? Your people settled here and built this Temple for you. They said, ‘whenever we are faced with any calamity such as [WAR, DISEASE, or FAMINE], we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honoured. We can cry out to you to save us, and you hear us and rescue us. And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of our land, which you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, won’t you 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.” 2 Chronicles 20. Great! Some people really know how to ‘tie’ God’s hands.
I just decided to run the entire prayer by this great king of Judah. What did you notice here? It is just the same pattern with King Hezekiah’s. Yes, this is an established divine principle. If you follow it, then you will always have God fight for you.
Begin today to live a life of praise. No matter what, let praise and worship remain on your lips day and night. This will make you a very dangerous person to your enemies; including all the powers of darkness. Till next week, God bless you!
Rev Agbo is the author of the book Power of Midnight Prayer. 08037113283. E-mail: gabrielagbo@yahoo.com
