June 15 2025 // 2 Chronicles 20
APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to 2 Chronicles 20
Sermon Title: Who’s Battle is it??
The Problem vs. 1-3
The Prayer vs. 4-12 (The Battle Cry)
The Promise vs. 14-17
The Praise vs. 18-22
The Protection vs. 22-23
Life Application:
A Modern Battle: Applying 2 Chronicles 20
The Overwhelming Threat
Sarah sat at her kitchen table, staring at the stack of medical bills that had arrived in the mail. Her husband, Mark, had been diagnosed with a serious illness, and the treatments were draining their savings. On top of that, her small business was struggling due to a sudden economic downturn, and she had just received notice that a major client was pulling out. The weight of it all felt like an army closing in, just like the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites advancing on Judah in 2 Chronicles 20. Sarah felt powerless, afraid, and unsure of where to turn.
Turning to God in Prayer
Like King Jehoshaphat, who faced an overwhelming enemy and turned to God, Sarah knew she couldn’t handle this alone. One evening, she closed her laptop, pushed the bills aside, and bowed her head. “God,” she prayed, “I don’t know how we’re going to get through this. The medical bills, the business, Mark’s health—it’s too much. I’m scared, but I know You’re bigger than all of this. Please show me what to do.” Her prayer echoed Jehoshaphat’s plea: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Seeking Godly Counsel and Community
In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat gathered the people of Judah to seek God together. Sarah decided to do the same in her own way. She reached out to her church small group, sharing her fears and asking for prayer. Her friends listened, prayed with her, and offered practical advice. One suggested a financial counselor who specialized in medical debt, while another connected her with a business mentor who had weathered similar economic challenges. Like Jehoshaphat, who received God’s guidance through the prophet Jahaziel, Sarah found hope through the support and wisdom of her community.
Trusting God’s Plan
As Sarah took steps forward—meeting with the financial counselor, restructuring her business, and leaning on her faith—she felt a peace that didn’t make sense given the circumstances. In 2 Chronicles 20, God told Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Sarah clung to this truth, reminding herself that God was in control, even when the outcome wasn’t clear. She started a gratitude journal, noting small victories: a payment plan for the medical bills, a new client for her business, and moments of joy with Mark despite his illness.
Praising in the Midst of the Battle
One of the most striking parts of 2 Chronicles 20 is how Jehoshaphat sent singers out ahead of the army, praising God before the battle was won. Sarah decided to practice this kind of faith. During a particularly tough week, she turned on worship music and sang through tears, thanking God for His faithfulness. She didn’t know how everything would turn out, but she chose to trust Him. Over time, she noticed that praising God shifted her perspective, giving her strength to keep going.
God’s Deliverance
Months later, the situation wasn’t fully resolved, but Sarah saw God’s hand at work. The financial counselor helped reduce some of the medical debt, and her business began to stabilize with new strategies from her mentor. Mark’s health improved slightly, giving them hope for the future. Like Judah’s miraculous victory in 2 Chronicles 20, where God caused the enemy armies to turn on each other, Sarah saw God provide in unexpected ways. A local charity offered assistance with medical costs, and her church community rallied to support her family.
Life Application Lessons
Sarah’s story reflects the timeless truths of 2 Chronicles 20:
Questions to Consider:
1. How did Jehoshaphat react to the news of the advancing enemy army? How should we respond in situations of fear and uncertainty?
2. Discuss the significance of Jehoshaphat's prayer in verses 5-12. What can we learn from his prayer in our personal prayer life?
3. How does this chapter portray the power of collective worship and prayer?
4. Reflect on the prophecy of Jahaziel in verses 13-17. What does it teach us about God's involvement in our battles?
5. Why did God give Jehoshaphat and Judah victory when they did not physically fight the battle?
6. Discuss the role of praise in this chapter. How can praise impact our personal struggles?
7. How does the concept of "The battle belongs to the Lord" apply to contemporary life?
Digging Deeper:
Confusion:
The ambush was a common feature of the holy war (Josh 8:2, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21; Jer 51:12; cf. 2 Chr 13:13). But here it was the Lord who “set ambushes” against the foe. These ambushes have been variously identified. We can only speculate, but supernatural agencies probably are implied, comparable with the “panic” that sometimes affected Israel’s enemies in a holy war (Exod 23:27; Josh 10:10). Confusion in battle sometimes brought armies to self-destruction (Judg 7:22; 1 Sam 14:20; 2 Kgs 3:23). Jehoshaphat’s men were not called upon to participate in the battle (cf. 13:14–18; 14:12–14). The huge quantities of spoil listed serve to emphasize the magnitude of the victory. The Valley of Beracah is represented today by Khirbet Berekut and Wadi Berekut, both situated near Tekoa.[1]
Responding in Fear:
Jehoshaphat’s first response was fear, an appropriate response in the circumstances. Jahaziel later counseled, “Do not fear” (v. 17), counsel that occurs 365 times in the Bible, enough for each day’s quota of fearful situations. Jehoshaphat’s second response was (literally) to “give his face to seek Yahweh.” In fact, the two verbs “feared and gave” begin the verse in Hebrew almost as one verb. Jehoshaphat knew how to deal with fear. Seeking the Lord is stressed here with two synonyms, the first (dāraš) translated “inquire” and the other (biqqēš) translated “seek” (see comments at 14:4). In this emergency situation Judah expressed their serious need for divine help by fasting.[2]
Prayer Time:
[1] J. A. Thompson, 1, 2 Chronicles, vol. 9, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 295.
[2] J. A. Thompson, 1, 2 Chronicles, vol. 9, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 293.
Sermon Title: Who’s Battle is it??
The Problem vs. 1-3
- Response of Fear
- Response of Fatih
The Prayer vs. 4-12 (The Battle Cry)
- Recognizing Gods position vs. 6
- Remembering Gods power vs. 7-8
- Seeking Gods plan vs. 9-12,13
The Promise vs. 14-17
- A necessary revelation vs. 15
- A precise direction vs. 16
- A surprising instruction vs. 17
- A promise of salvation vs. 17
The Praise vs. 18-22
- Worship vs. 18-19
- Preparation vs. 20
- Praise vs. 21-22
The Protection vs. 22-23
- Confusion vs. 23
- Conclusion vs. 23
Life Application:
A Modern Battle: Applying 2 Chronicles 20
The Overwhelming Threat
Sarah sat at her kitchen table, staring at the stack of medical bills that had arrived in the mail. Her husband, Mark, had been diagnosed with a serious illness, and the treatments were draining their savings. On top of that, her small business was struggling due to a sudden economic downturn, and she had just received notice that a major client was pulling out. The weight of it all felt like an army closing in, just like the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites advancing on Judah in 2 Chronicles 20. Sarah felt powerless, afraid, and unsure of where to turn.
Turning to God in Prayer
Like King Jehoshaphat, who faced an overwhelming enemy and turned to God, Sarah knew she couldn’t handle this alone. One evening, she closed her laptop, pushed the bills aside, and bowed her head. “God,” she prayed, “I don’t know how we’re going to get through this. The medical bills, the business, Mark’s health—it’s too much. I’m scared, but I know You’re bigger than all of this. Please show me what to do.” Her prayer echoed Jehoshaphat’s plea: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Seeking Godly Counsel and Community
In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat gathered the people of Judah to seek God together. Sarah decided to do the same in her own way. She reached out to her church small group, sharing her fears and asking for prayer. Her friends listened, prayed with her, and offered practical advice. One suggested a financial counselor who specialized in medical debt, while another connected her with a business mentor who had weathered similar economic challenges. Like Jehoshaphat, who received God’s guidance through the prophet Jahaziel, Sarah found hope through the support and wisdom of her community.
Trusting God’s Plan
As Sarah took steps forward—meeting with the financial counselor, restructuring her business, and leaning on her faith—she felt a peace that didn’t make sense given the circumstances. In 2 Chronicles 20, God told Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Sarah clung to this truth, reminding herself that God was in control, even when the outcome wasn’t clear. She started a gratitude journal, noting small victories: a payment plan for the medical bills, a new client for her business, and moments of joy with Mark despite his illness.
Praising in the Midst of the Battle
One of the most striking parts of 2 Chronicles 20 is how Jehoshaphat sent singers out ahead of the army, praising God before the battle was won. Sarah decided to practice this kind of faith. During a particularly tough week, she turned on worship music and sang through tears, thanking God for His faithfulness. She didn’t know how everything would turn out, but she chose to trust Him. Over time, she noticed that praising God shifted her perspective, giving her strength to keep going.
God’s Deliverance
Months later, the situation wasn’t fully resolved, but Sarah saw God’s hand at work. The financial counselor helped reduce some of the medical debt, and her business began to stabilize with new strategies from her mentor. Mark’s health improved slightly, giving them hope for the future. Like Judah’s miraculous victory in 2 Chronicles 20, where God caused the enemy armies to turn on each other, Sarah saw God provide in unexpected ways. A local charity offered assistance with medical costs, and her church community rallied to support her family.
Life Application Lessons
Sarah’s story reflects the timeless truths of 2 Chronicles 20:
- Face Fear with Faith: When overwhelmed, turn to God first, trusting that He sees your situation and cares.
- Seek Godly Community: Don’t face battles alone. Surround yourself with people who can pray, encourage, and offer wisdom.
- Trust God’s Timing: Even when the outcome is uncertain, believe that God is working for your good.
- Praise Before Victory: Worship and gratitude can shift your focus from fear to faith, even in the middle of the storm.
Questions to Consider:
1. How did Jehoshaphat react to the news of the advancing enemy army? How should we respond in situations of fear and uncertainty?
2. Discuss the significance of Jehoshaphat's prayer in verses 5-12. What can we learn from his prayer in our personal prayer life?
3. How does this chapter portray the power of collective worship and prayer?
4. Reflect on the prophecy of Jahaziel in verses 13-17. What does it teach us about God's involvement in our battles?
5. Why did God give Jehoshaphat and Judah victory when they did not physically fight the battle?
6. Discuss the role of praise in this chapter. How can praise impact our personal struggles?
7. How does the concept of "The battle belongs to the Lord" apply to contemporary life?
Digging Deeper:
Confusion:
The ambush was a common feature of the holy war (Josh 8:2, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21; Jer 51:12; cf. 2 Chr 13:13). But here it was the Lord who “set ambushes” against the foe. These ambushes have been variously identified. We can only speculate, but supernatural agencies probably are implied, comparable with the “panic” that sometimes affected Israel’s enemies in a holy war (Exod 23:27; Josh 10:10). Confusion in battle sometimes brought armies to self-destruction (Judg 7:22; 1 Sam 14:20; 2 Kgs 3:23). Jehoshaphat’s men were not called upon to participate in the battle (cf. 13:14–18; 14:12–14). The huge quantities of spoil listed serve to emphasize the magnitude of the victory. The Valley of Beracah is represented today by Khirbet Berekut and Wadi Berekut, both situated near Tekoa.[1]
Responding in Fear:
Jehoshaphat’s first response was fear, an appropriate response in the circumstances. Jahaziel later counseled, “Do not fear” (v. 17), counsel that occurs 365 times in the Bible, enough for each day’s quota of fearful situations. Jehoshaphat’s second response was (literally) to “give his face to seek Yahweh.” In fact, the two verbs “feared and gave” begin the verse in Hebrew almost as one verb. Jehoshaphat knew how to deal with fear. Seeking the Lord is stressed here with two synonyms, the first (dāraš) translated “inquire” and the other (biqqēš) translated “seek” (see comments at 14:4). In this emergency situation Judah expressed their serious need for divine help by fasting.[2]
Prayer Time:
[1] J. A. Thompson, 1, 2 Chronicles, vol. 9, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 295.
[2] J. A. Thompson, 1, 2 Chronicles, vol. 9, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 293.