2 Chronicles 20:1-4 (NIV) After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

King Jehoshaphat was one of the few good kings that Judah had and one day, he found himself in a lot of trouble. He learned that three different countries had banded together and had conspired to come against Judah to destroy them.  There were a very large number of them; so much so that King Jehoshaphat knew in his heart that there would be no way that the armies of Judah would be able to defeat this vast army. He could have tried to make alliances with neighboring countries, but he was wise enough to do what seemed like a very weak thing to do: he proclaimed a fast.

All of the people gathered together during this fast to seek the Lord and to seek His help. Because the people humbled themselves by fasting and praying, the Lord miraculously delivered them! God not only delivered His people from their enemies, but He declared that the battle was not theirs but His! The enemies of Judah were confronted by God Himself and in the confusion, they turned on each other and destroyed each other instead of the people of Judah. The people of Judah did not even have to fight this battle and the reason was that they had already fought the most important battle and persevered. It was the battle that they won when they committed to seeking the Lord’s help by fasting and wrestling in prayer.

As you begin your fast today, expect great things from God. The Lord will not only do outward things but awesome things down deep in your spirit and soul as well. Those who seek God find Him. Those who do it consistently, find Him in fresh and new ways. Learn the powerful secret that King Jehoshaphat knew and put into action and see what the Lord will do in your life!

Pastor Joey Vazquez