Faith, Obedience, and Praise in Overwhelming Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Seek God First in Times of Overwhelming Challenge

When life throws unexpected battles your way and you feel surrounded by problems too great to handle, the first and most vital response is to turn to God. Jehoshaphat, faced with a vast army, immediately resolved to inquire of the Lord and called the entire nation to fast and seek God’s help. This act of seeking God together, before trying to solve things on their own, demonstrates a posture of humility and dependence. When you are overwhelmed, let your first instinct be to seek God’s presence, wisdom, and intervention, trusting that He alone can make a way where there seems to be none. [17:44]

2 Chronicles 20:2-4 (ESV)
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

Reflection: When you receive troubling news or face a challenge today, what would it look like for you to pause and seek God first—before taking any other action?

Day 2: Remember and Pray God’s Promises Back to Him

In moments of crisis, it is powerful to recall God’s faithfulness and promises from the past. Jehoshaphat’s prayer was filled with reminders of who God is and what He has done for His people, not to inform God, but to strengthen his own faith. Praying Scripture and God’s promises back to Him anchors your heart in truth and builds confidence that the God who delivered before will do it again. When you pray, remind yourself of God’s character and His Word, letting His faithfulness in history fuel your hope for today. [22:42]

2 Chronicles 20:6-9 (ESV)
And said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’”

Reflection: What is one promise from God’s Word that you need to pray over your current situation today, reminding yourself of His faithfulness?

Day 3: Keep Your Eyes on God, Not the Problem

When you don’t know what to do, fix your gaze on God with expectation. Jehoshaphat admitted, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you,” showing a posture of surrender and trust. Instead of being consumed by fear or trying to control the outcome, choose to look to God, believing that He sees you and will provide. This shift in focus from the problem to the Provider opens your heart to receive His direction and peace, even before the answer comes. [23:25]

2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)
“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel powerless or uncertain? How can you intentionally shift your focus to God today, trusting Him with the outcome?

Day 4: Praise God Before the Victory

True faith is demonstrated when you praise God not just after deliverance, but before you see the answer. The people of Judah worshiped and praised God with loud voices as soon as they heard His promise, even before the battle was won. Their praise was an act of trust, declaring God’s goodness and love in advance. When you choose to worship God in the midst of uncertainty, you invite His presence and power into your situation, and your heart is strengthened to believe for His deliverance. [29:57]

2 Chronicles 20:18-22 (ESV)
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally praise God today for His faithfulness, even before you see the answer to your prayers?

Day 5: God’s Deliverance Brings Greater Blessing and Peace

When God delivers, He does more than just rescue—He brings you out better than before, with blessings and peace that surpass what you had before the trial. The people of Judah not only saw their enemies defeated, but they gathered more plunder than they could carry and experienced peace on every side. Trusting God through the battle leads to a testimony of His goodness and provision that you can celebrate and share. Expect that God’s way of deliverance will elevate you, bringing new joy and rest as you continue to praise Him. [38:41]

2 Chronicles 20:25-30 (ESV)
When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the Lord. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the Lord. And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

Reflection: Looking back on a challenge God has brought you through, how have you seen Him bless you beyond what you expected, and how can you use that testimony to encourage someone else today?

Sermon Summary

In times of overwhelming challenge, when it feels like life is coming at us from every direction, the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 reminds us where our focus must be. When faced with a vast army, Jehoshaphat’s first response was not panic or self-reliance, but to seek God. He called the entire nation—men, women, and children—to fast and pray, demonstrating that seeking God is not a solitary act but a communal one. In his prayer, Jehoshaphat reminded himself of God’s sovereignty, His past faithfulness, and His promises. This act of remembering is not for God’s benefit, but for ours, to anchor our faith in who God has always been.

Jehoshaphat’s confession, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you,” is a model for us when we are at the end of our own strength and understanding. God’s response was immediate: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Yet, God still called them to take up their positions and stand firm, teaching us that faith is not passive. We are called to step out in obedience, even when the outcome is beyond our control.

A remarkable aspect of this story is the people’s response: they worshipped and praised God before the victory was visible. Their praise was not a reaction to deliverance, but an act of faith in God’s promise. As they sang and worshipped, God moved—He set ambushes against their enemies, and the battle was won without them lifting a sword. Not only did God deliver them, but He blessed them abundantly, giving them more than they had before the trial began.

This narrative challenges us to shift our perspective: to praise God in the midst of uncertainty, to trust that He is working even when we cannot see it, and to believe that He can bring us out of trials better than we were before. God’s deliverance is not always in the way we expect, but it is always rooted in His enduring love. Our role is to keep our eyes on Him, to seek Him first, and to give Him praise—before, during, and after the battle.

Key Takeaways

1. Seeking God Must Be Our First Response When faced with overwhelming circumstances, Jehoshaphat immediately turned to God, calling the entire community to fast and pray. This teaches us that our instinct should not be to rely on our own strength or resources, but to seek God together, acknowledging our dependence on Him. True spiritual breakthrough often begins when we humble ourselves and invite God into our crisis. [17:44]
2. Remembering God’s Faithfulness Anchors Our Faith Jehoshaphat’s prayer was filled with reminders of God’s past deeds and promises. By rehearsing God’s history of faithfulness, we strengthen our trust in His character and His ability to deliver again. This act of remembering is not for God’s benefit, but for ours—it reorients our hearts to hope and confidence in Him. [19:34]
3. Faith Requires Obedience Even When the Outcome Is Unclear God told the people they would not have to fight, but still commanded them to take up their positions and stand firm. Sometimes, God asks us to step out in faith, to prepare and obey, even when we do not see how deliverance will come. Obedience in uncertainty is a powerful act of trust that positions us to witness God’s intervention. [27:19]
4. Praise Precedes Breakthrough The people worshipped and praised God before the victory was won, demonstrating faith in His promise rather than waiting for visible results. As they praised, God moved on their behalf. This challenges us to cultivate a lifestyle of praise, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot yet see the outcome. [29:57]
5. God’s Deliverance Brings Greater Blessing and Lasting Peace Not only did God defeat the enemies, but He blessed His people with abundance and established peace on every side. God’s deliverance is not just about survival; it is about elevation, restoration, and testimony to others of His power. When we trust Him through trials, we often emerge with more than we had before, and with a deeper sense of His peace. [38:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:29] - Introduction: God Makes a Way
[11:12] - The Threat Against Jehoshaphat
[11:51] - Jehoshaphat’s Response: Seeking God
[13:09] - Remembering God’s Promises
[15:07] - Facing Overwhelming Odds
[17:05] - The Correct Response to Life’s Challenges
[18:57] - Praying with Remembrance
[20:50] - God’s Past Provision and Our Present Faith
[22:05] - Praying Scripture and Trusting God
[23:25] - Keeping Our Eyes on God
[24:44] - God’s Immediate Answer: The Battle Is God’s
[26:00] - Obedience and Standing Firm
[27:53] - Worship Before the Victory
[29:57] - Praising God in Advance
[33:02] - God’s Deliverance During Praise
[36:11] - Abundant Blessing After the Battle
[38:41] - Lasting Peace and Elevation
[40:37] - Encouragement to Trust and Praise God
[41:54] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 20:1-30 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole passage together, but here are some key verses:)

> 2 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.
> 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
> 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
> 12 “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
> 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’”
> 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
> 22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.

Observation Questions

What was Jehoshaphat’s first response when he heard about the armies coming against him? ([17:44])
Who did Jehoshaphat involve in seeking God, and how did the people respond? ([17:44])
In Jehoshaphat’s prayer, what things did he remind himself and the people about God? ([19:34])
What did God tell the people through Jahaziel, and what did He command them to do? ([24:44])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jehoshaphat chose to seek God first instead of relying on his own strength or military strategy? ([17:44])
What does Jehoshaphat’s statement, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you,” reveal about his faith and leadership? ([23:25])
God told the people the battle was His, but still told them to take up their positions and stand firm. What does this teach us about the relationship between faith and obedience? ([27:19])
The people praised God before they saw any victory. What does this say about the nature of true faith and worship? ([29:57])

Application Questions

When you face overwhelming situations, what is your first instinct—do you try to fix things yourself, or do you turn to God? What would it look like for you to “seek God first” this week? ([17:44])
Jehoshaphat called the whole community—men, women, and children—to fast and pray together. How can you involve others in your life when you are facing a challenge, instead of trying to handle it alone? ([17:44])
Jehoshaphat reminded himself of God’s past faithfulness. What is one specific way God has been faithful to you in the past? How can remembering this help you trust Him now? ([19:34])
Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel powerless or unsure what to do? What would it look like for you to say, “My eyes are on you, God,” in that situation? ([23:25])
God told the people to take up their positions and stand firm, even though He would fight for them. Is there an area where God is calling you to take a step of obedience, even if you don’t know how things will turn out? ([27:19])
The people praised God before the victory was visible. Is there something you need to praise God for in faith, even though you haven’t seen the answer yet? How can you practice this kind of praise this week? ([29:57])
After the battle, God blessed the people with more than they had before. Have you ever experienced God bringing good out of a difficult situation? How did that change your perspective on trusting Him in future challenges? ([38:41])

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