From the desk of Steve Shultz:
We don't hear enough about the life of King Jehoshaphat. He was a great ruler over Judah who established the Lord as his foundation of authority. He included the Lord in his decisions to lead him to rule and reign over the land. This is a great word from Sandie Freed highlighting the characteristics of King Jehoshaphat. There's much to glean from his life that we can apply to ours today.
Here are also a couple of powerful prophetic resources from Sandie Freed that will most definitely be of benefit to you:
Sandie Freed:
Keep Your Eyes on the Lord and His Instructions in this Season
During difficult seasons, it is often challenging to trust in God's unfailing love, isn't it? I know that for me, when I am in a narrow place I must remain focused or else I begin to lose faith and vision. I'm sure that most of you can relate as to how dark it seems when we are being challenged and vexed by the enemy. I love the Biblical account where Jehoshaphat saw his enemies and their evil intent, but that he also said, "Our eyes are upon Thee" (see 2 Chronicles 20:12). Dear ones, we are all fully aware that our enemy seeks to steal, kill and destroy us, but we must remain focused and keep our eyes on the Lord!
This king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, was a ruler who believed in establishing a foundation of pure worship and godly morality. During his rule, he made every attempt to include God in his decision making. In order to establish righteous judgment, King Jehoshaphat restored the fear of the Lord and established judges, Levites and priests to properly execute godly government and oversee controversies. One could say that the king of Judah was recognizing who the true King was – Jehoshaphat was enthroning the Lord over Judah! Once godly authority was properly positioned and righteousness was established, Jehoshaphat's enemies began to make plans to destroy Jehoshaphat.
Take a Firm Stand
We must pause here a moment and consider this, because I believe that the same happens to many of us once we take a firm stand to follow God. We have made firm commitments to the Lord and have committed our lives to follow Him and fight for righteousness. However, because we have enthroned the Lord in our lives, the enemy soon gathers around us to dethrone God's plans concerning our future. Satan desires a seated position in our lives, and he will even fight for it. Satan will attempt to gather his troops to frighten us from our positions in Christ.
Yes! The enemy wants to frighten us and cause us to flee. Let's look closer at the circumstances of Jehoshaphat and how he "cried out" to the Lord and God answered him. Second Chronicles 20:1-3 says that after Jehoshaphat set up godly order in Judah, the Moabites and the Ammonites along with their auxiliaries rose up against him. Facing tremendous opposition, Jehoshaphat began to fear and "set himself to seek the Lord..."
When I studied the word "set" (as Jehoshaphat "set" himself to seek the Lord), I found that it is the same word used when God "set" the heavens in order when He created the earth. It is also connected to the time God "set" the rainbow in heaven, and amazingly is tied to when God established His covenant with us! It is also the same word used when God expresses His desire to bless us and bring forth the fruit of His Word for our lives (see Genesis 1:7, 9:13, 17:2). Therefore, we can conclude that when the enemy struck at Jehoshaphat, he "set" himself to align with the covenant promises of God and His established order.
Jehoshaphat Cried Out!
As Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah, they gathered together to ask help from the Lord. Jehoshaphat called upon the Lord and reminded God of His covenant and how in past generations God honored His word. Jehoshaphat declared that God would help if they cried out to Him (2 Chronicles 20:9).
Then a very important thing happened, which is documented in verse 12. Scripture states that Jehoshaphat asked God to judge his enemies. Jehoshaphat saw his enemies approaching, but he still kept his eye upon the Lord. Jehoshaphat said, "...but our eyes are upon You." Beloved, we may see the enemy moving toward us, but we must also remain "set" and focused on God! Let's be determined to keep our eyes on the Lord!
One Levite, Jahaziel, arose under God's anointing and began to prophesy, "Thus saith the Lord...'Be not afraid nor dismayed by the reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's'" (verse 15). Jahaziel went on to prophesy that they would not need to fight in this battle but rather "set" themselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Again, we notice the emphasis on God's people being "set" in their covenant relationship with God. Also, however, we are challenged to believe in the words of the prophets who are bringing light and revelation during these dark seasons.
Bowing Down to the Lord
Actually, I can't even imagine the pressure this king was feeling. He was overwhelmed, outnumbered and yet he was instructed to not fear and not go to battle. God had promised to fight for him. Jehoshaphat was up against the wall with no choice but to trust God and His promises.
Verse 18 says that Jehoshaphat "bowed" his head to the ground and all the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem worshiped the Lord. Dear ones, we must "bow" to the instructions of the Lord in this season. The battles we face in these uncertain times require the battle strategies of the Lord. We can no longer assume we have all of the proper maneuvers during warfare – only God can ensure the victories we need during this time. Obviously, Jehoshaphat had not been this way before – neither have we.
Jehoshaphat was determined to continue to go into battle with the sound of praise. Jehoshaphat traveled throughout the wilderness of Tekoa and spoke firmly this familiar declaration: "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper" (2 Chronicles 20:20). If you read between the lines just a little, one might imagine how Jehoshaphat was challenged with fear and then still challenged further to believe and trust in the prophetic word delivered through Jahaziel! Yet, since Jehoshaphat had "set" himself properly before the Lord, I believe he was also supernaturally empowered by God to align himself with God's directives when the word of the Lord came to him.
The Spirit of Mammon
During the last few years, I have often wondered how I would respond if times grew more difficult. Though we are instructed to not concern ourselves with the future, especially since Mammon is such a stronghold during these uncertain times, we are still often tempted to do so. Dear ones, if we "set" our hearts toward God as Jehoshaphat did, we will be empowered to defeat our enemies. In my new book, Crushing the Spirit of Greed and Poverty: Discerning and Defeating the Ancient Powers of Mammon and Babylon, I discuss how to overcome obstacles that block our ability to trust God during seasons of uncertainty. If you struggle with trusting God and bowing to His directives, you will want to get this book so that you can rid your heart of previous mindsets that block your future concerning God's ability to protect and provide.
Obviously, praise was the key in Judah's battle against the Moabites and the Ammonites. Just for further insight, a couple of the meanings of the name "Moabite" are "the seed of the father" and the "waste and nothingness (of the seed)." Therefore we can conclude that a Moabite stronghold rises up against us to steal godly seeds that we have conceived concerning our future and our relationship with God. In other words, when it appears we might be under siege, the enemy moves in to steal our faith and hope. Once we lose faith and we are fearful, we are easy prey to the enemy.
On the other hand, the Ammonites' name means "tribal" and "people of strength." The enemy will attempt to look larger than God. Satan will often bring a confederacy against us, but just as Elijah prayed for his servant to see that there were more for them than against them – He will do the same for us! I truly believe that, don't you? The strongman may be strong, but God is the Mighty Man of War!
Exodus 15:3 (AMP) The Lord is a Man of War; the Lord is His name.
Imagine with me one more time how Jehoshaphat must have seen the confederacy of his enemies and then feared the possibility that he would be "nothing" and "wasted" after the battle. But, no! He chose to believe in the Lord and be established. He chose to trust the prophet and God's directives for battle (2 Chronicles 20:20).
Go Out a Praisin'
Jehoshaphat appointed singers to praise the Lord, and when they went out before their enemies, the Lord set ambushments against Ammon and Moab! Bodies had fallen and none escaped! Jehoshaphat and his people were able to take the spoils from their enemy. The collection was a three-day holiday! Yes, it took three days to collect the spoils – talk about God's covenant blessings!
Dear Believers, I pray that you are encouraged today. Know that no weapon that has formed against you will prosper. We have no need to fear. Did you know that the name "Mammon" is derived from the Ammonites? If you are fearful and you feel that you cannot trust God concerning your provision or for your future, begin to do as Jehoshaphat – begin to praise the Lord. Put on the garment of praise today and take some time to spend in His presence.
I believe that right now God is sending ambushments against your enemies!
Please allow me to pray for you:
Father, I thank You for each reader today. I know that no matter what it looks like in the natural, that You promise to deliver us from the plans of the wicked one. Empower us with a new level of faith, Lord. Open our eyes to see that there are more for us than against us. Lord, we are set on keeping our eyes fixed on You – especially during uncertain times. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries
Email: zionministries1@sbcglobal.net
