The Choirboys Led the Charge

There once was a king named Jehoshaphat. His story is told in the book of 2nd Chronicles in the Bible.

In chapter 20 of 2nd Chronicles, we read the story of a time when Jehoshaphat's kingdom came under attack. A great army, with soldiers from three different nations, marched against the city of Jerusalem, where Jehoshaphat had his palace.

God's temple was also in Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat believed in God. He went to the temple and prayed in a loud voice, in the presence of many people, asking for God's help. One of God's prophets was there and gave Jehoshaphat God's answer:

Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

Jehoshaphat and his people believed God. They believed that God would protect them and defend them; they were willing to merely watch and not fight.

As an act of faith, Jehoshaphat sent out some "special forces" ahead of his troops. The Bible says:

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever" (2 Chronicles 20:21).

The special troops that the king sent out were singers! These men marched at the front of the army, singing and praising God. They celebrated the victory that God had promised, even before it happened.

And God kept his word. The enemy forces begin to fight among themselves, eventually destroying one another. When the Israelites arrived on the scene, the only thing left to do was gather the spoils. God had already done the fighting.

That had to be hard. It had to be hard to sing praises while marching against a more powerful enemy. It had to be hard to trust that God would fight the battle.

It's easier to depend on ourselves, to trust in our strength, to put our faith in what we see and know. But faith requires that we trust that God will keep his promises.

Are you able to trust in God? Do you believe that he will be with you to the end… and beyond? If not, let's talk about it. Write to me at tarcher@heraldoftruth.org. Or join the conversation on our HopeForLife.org website.