In 2 Chronicles 20, we find a story from the reign of Jehoshaphat, a story of victory, hope, direction, and expectation.

Let’s start in chapter 17 where the Bible tells us that Judah had an army of 1,160,000 warriors besides the warriors he put in the fortified cities of Judah (vv. 14-19). “And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat” (v. 10 NKJV). God had truly blessed Jehoshaphat and Judah, “because he walked in the former ways of his father David” (v. 3).

However, between chapters 17 and 20, we find “Jehu the son of Hanani the seer” pronouncing the wrath of the Lord upon Jehoshaphat because he made an alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel by joining him in a battle, and “by marriage he allied himself with Ahab” (2 Chronicles 19;2; 18:1; his son married Ahab’s daughter).

When we get to chapter 20, a mighty army of two countries “and others with them … came to battle against Jehoshaphat” (v. 1). When the king heard it, he called a fast and sought the Lord, and the Lord honored their fasting and prayer:

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel. …  And he said, ‘Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’”

God even told them where to find the enemy, where to position themselves, and where to see the victory! They were to have a front row seat to their miracle!

Then they all, including the king, bowed and worshipped and praised!

The next morning, they did just what the Lord said: they went to meet the enemy, positioned themselves, and just stood.

What did the Lord do? Just what He said He would do. He fought and won the battle by causing the enemy armies to fight against each other until all were dead! The spoil of the dead enemy was more than they could carry!

Our Takeaways?

First, fasting and prayer are important parts of fighting.

Next, Jehoshaphat and Judah couldn’t save themselves, but God positioned them to have a front row seat to their victory! He is doing the same for us. We can’t save our prodigals—it is something only God can do—but when we read the promises in God’s Word regarding the salvation of our prodigals, we should respond just like they did when they heard the words of the Lord: bow and worship our God who is Elohay Yishi, the God Of My Salvation. Then we can face the enemy, positioning ourselves however and wherever the Lord tells us to do in our personal situations. Yes, we may see hard things now, but we have a front row seat to see the greatest miracles we will see: the salvation of our loved ones, no matter how dire or impossible it may seem in the present. We’ve already had front row seats to miracle after miracle because of loving a prodigal. For example, the fact they are alive is testimony to miracle after miracle after miracle, because the enemy has been doing his best to kill them. Not only has God spared their lives, but He works to bring them back into relationship with Himself in answer to our prayers.

Then, like the enemy fought against enemy in Jehoshaphat’s battle. we sometimes see the enemy overplay his hand, which causes a wake-up in a prodigal’s heart and mind. That’s why we ask God to allow sin to run its course, “that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26).

And, when the miracle comes, when they have returned to the Lord, we will take away more spoil than we can carry! (v. 25).

I don’t have to tell you our next part, what we will do when we see the miracle. We will thank God like we’ve never thanked Him before! Bless His holy name!

We are in a battle for the souls of our prodigal children, spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, grandchildren, friends, etc., and we fight, but the battle belongs to the Lord, not us. Yes, we partner with Him in the battle in ways He tells us to. Sometimes that means:

• Prayer, praise, worship, or thanking Him for what He has done, is doing, or has done in the future.
• Witnessing, speaking, or holding our tongue.
• Helping or withdrawing our hand.

Sometimes, we are to move and fight, but there are times the Lord will tell us to position ourselves where He directs us and “stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.” Either way, the battle belongs to the Lord.

So, we go to the battle without fear, knowing the battle belongs to the Lord!  

We face the enemy secure in knowing victory is the Lord’s!

We position ourselves, giving us a front row seat to the coming miracles!

Praise the name of the Lord!