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God and Men Working Together Are you not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the earth. II Chronicles 20:6
In the last article we looked briefly at Jehoshaphat's prayer in the house of the Lord. He had a strong faith in a powerful, sovereign, omnipotent God who was able to deliver His people. He didn't just believe (mental acknowledgment) with the mind, he also put that faith and trust into action in his everyday life. His knowledge was followed by obedience to the directions and commands of God. Here are a few statements he makes about the God of the Hebrews.
1-- Verse 6 says, "Are You not God in heaven, and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations?"
2 -- "And in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand you?"
3 -- "Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people?"
In II Chronicles 20:7-9, Jehoshaphat seems to be asking God to act in defense of His own honor and glory (for His name's sake). He makes the argument that God gave them this land. They have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name. He goes on to say in verse 9, "For your name is in this temple."
Jehoshaphat is also asking God to work on behalf of His people and for their good. I love the way he makes his arguments, or presents his request to God.
1 -- You gave us this land (in the past) for Your own honor and glory.
2 -- Work on behalf of Your people and for their good, verse 9.
3 -- Judge these people who are trying to drive us from the possession which You gave us.
He then admits that they are completely dependent on God for deliverance. II Chronicles 20:12 says, "For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." The next thing we want to notice is a very important part of every Christians life. We often call it responsibility or accountability.
God said in verse 15, "The battle is not yours, but God's." Did that mean that Jehoshaphat and the people didn't have to do anything? Couldn't they just go on vacation and sleep in till 11 AM every day? Absolutely not, they had their own part to do and accomplish; God gave them clear commands that they were to follow. "Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the ascent of Ziz." Then verse 17 says, "Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you." Verse 20, "Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."
Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah had faith, they were convinced of God's goodness in their heart and mind. Their outward actions were the evidence of the faith that was on the inside. 'As they went out before the army they were saying: "praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever." Now when they began to sing and to praise, The Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, verse 22.
Through the obedience of His people and the almighty power of God, the enemy was overthrown and defeated. Do you see how the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man work together? God ordained that in time and eternity, He would receive greater praise and glory through His creation by working with us and for us. Are we working with God, or against Him?
Comments or questions, contact me at: thoughtsonword@gmail.com
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published three books, "Common Thoughts on The Word" in 2016 and "Eye of a Needle" in 2017 and "Common Thoughts on The Word II" in 2019. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.