A Battle That Chose Me

These are the words of my dear friend Jennifer... This is her blog.

These past few days have not been anything I ever expected. Life always has it struggles with ups and downs yet today was extra hard. I am so thankful when I received a phone call, I had just finished watching a sermon from Pastor Steven Furtick titled “When the Battle Chooses You”. It was timely in reminding me that God is with me, beside me and for me. 2 Chronicles 20 gives a detailed encounter when King Jehoshaphat heard 3 armies were coming from behind to war against him and his army. Instead of making a quick decision in how to fight back, King Jehoshaphat went to the Lord and asked what he should do because he was afraid. In that one moment of choosing to ask the Lord what to do, the outcome was beyond King Jehoshaphat and his peoples’ expectation. Here is what I learned— If the battle is to big or out of your control-give it back to God because He wants His battle back —vs 17 “But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem (Jennifer). Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you.” The king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army singing “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever” -vs 21 Worship and gratitude should be used as a strategy to win the battles. Pastor Furtick made a comment that worship in this context was not necessarily singing but being focused on what God had done for them. Focus on the goodness of God and not the fight ahead. You may be shocked at the battle, but you will not be shaken. Stand firm in what you know about God. He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. His word is true, He does not lie. He will use all things whether good or bad to bring glory to His name as you can see throughout the Old and New Testament. I also loved the reminder that Pastor Furtick gave when King Jehoshaphat was praying starting in verse 6 that he reminded God what God had done for him and his people. God loves to be reminded what He has done for us. It brings Him joy knowing you remember what He brought you thru even though at the time it didn’t feel that way. What am I trying to say, you ask? Reminding both you and I that no matter what comes your way, God already knew about it and is waiting for you to come to Him and ask what is the best way to handle the “battle”. I challenge each of you to read 2 Chronicles 20 in several different translations. It became “real” to me tonight as if I was there amongst them showing by example in how to win battles. Be blessed, jennifer