A Wonderful Story Of God’s People Doing As They Should 2 Chron. 20

In the days of Jehoshaphat, Judah was throated by a great horde of three countries from the east combining to invade. Jehoshaphat was afraid. Fear in similar situations has caused many godly people to do evil.  His father Asa turned to a foreign alliance when he faced less of a threat that this. (2 Chron. 16)  But Jehoshaphat sought the Lord. (16 times “seek, seeking or sought the LORD (Jehovah)” appears in 1 & 2 Chron.) He called the people of Judah to fast as they sought the Lord. They assembled in the Temple courtyard and the king led in prayer.

Jehoshaphat’s prayer acknowledged the sovereignty of God, His help in making them a nation, and that trouble should not come upon God’s people so long as they humbled themselves before God. So in faith, they asked for God’s help. A prophet stood up and said that God would fight their enemies for them. They were to go out as to battle on a mountain overlooking a plain and wait there to see the victory of the Lord. The people bowed in worship and loudly praised God.  

Led the priests and singers, they went out where God had told them. They watched as the combined armies broke into its separate parts and fought one another to the point of total annihilation.  

The victory for God’s people was so complete that all they had to do was go down and take the spoils of war.  It took three days to carry all of it off.  On the fourth day, they had a great service of thanks to God. Faith and trust worked a greater victory than the army of Judah could have,

Consider Jesus: Beloved

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Matt. 3:17“and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

Matt. 17:5“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’”

See also Matt. 12:18; Mark 1:11; 9:7; 12:6; Luke 3:22; 20:13.  In Eph 1:6 Jesus is simply called “the Beloved.”  Beloved means “worthy of honor, esteem,” and thus very dear to us.  God loved Jesus to an infinite degree.  It is the greatest measure of God’s love that He loved us enough to sent His own Son for us.  

As we consider Jesus whom God loved, we also consider other children of God whom He loves, namely us.  “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you…” (2 Thess. 2:13)  “To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints” (Rom. 1:7)  As Jesus was loved (and we are told that we are loved); and as He loved, we are to love each other.  There are many examples of brethren having such love for one another:  “Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant” (Col. 1:7) “Our beloved Barnabas and Paul” (Acts 15:25) “Luke, the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14).

Confidence that we are so loved should cause us to act properly, as Jesus did.  “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Cor. 10:14)  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)

Surely we should consider these things about Jesus.  As we do our appreciation for His work and labors for us will cause us to grow into the love that we should have for him and our brethren.