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Presented by Lisa Bishop
We are examining being thankful and I want to talk about gratitude in the battle.
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 tells the story of King Jehoshaphat, reminding us gratitude is not just a response to God’s blessings. Gratitude is a proactive stance, a mind set on God that invites his presence and power into our lives.
When a vast army of his enemies were coming to wage war against him, instead of succumbing to fear, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, sought the Lord.
In verses 6-12, Jehoshaphat prayed a powerful prayer of dependence on God, acknowledged God’s sovereignty, recounted God’s faithfulness, and confessed reliance on God for deliverance. His prayer ended with the profound declaration:
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Have you ever felt like that? What stands out in this story is the response of Jehoshaphat and the people as they faced a battle. They didn’t cower in fear, get angry at their circumstances, or wait passively; while they waited for the battle to unfold, they worshipped. In the middle of the hard, they praised (v. 19). As they went out to face their enemies, they sang,
Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever (2 Chronicles 20:21).
Their gratitude was not after the victory; it was before the battle even began. And as they began to sing and praise, their gratitude and worship moved the hand of God. The Lord set ambushes and defeated their enemies. Jehoshaphat and his people didn’t have to fight; God fought for them.
Praise and thankfulness are powerful weapons in our spiritual arsenal. When you are facing a battle, follow in Jehosaphat’s footsteps and remember these three things:
- Gratitude helps us fix our eyes on God’s power rather than our problems. When Jehoshaphat and his people turned to give God thanks, their focus shifted from the overwhelming threat to the overwhelming greatness of God.
- Gratitude invites God’s presence. As Judah worshiped, God’s presence was tangibly manifested. Expressing gratitude invites God into our circumstances, bringing his peace, guidance, and intervention.
- Gratitude precedes victory. Jehoshaphat’s story teaches us to thank God in advance. Gratitude is an expression of faith, trusting he is already at work, even when we can’t see it.
As we go about our week, rather than being overwhelmed by our challenges, let’s resolve to fix our eyes on Jesus, thank him for his enduring love, and trust he is fighting our battles. Remember, gratitude is not just a response to victory; it’s a catalyst for it.