As we enter into 2020, we remember the simple promise given in 2 Chronicles 20:20 by Jehoshaphat to the tribe of Judah, a list of instructions for preparing to face their enemies in battle. In the end, it would not be a battle, but rather a slaughter. The entire story is recorded in 2 Chronicles 20 and is a prophetic picture for the church as we enter into 2020. The story began with Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir (Israel’s cousins whom they had always dealt kindly with because of the Lord’s orders) coming to slaughter Judah. Jehoshaphat had called for a fast in response to the overwhelming and insurmountable odds of the three nations coming to drive Judah out of their inheritance.
As the Judeans prayed, a prophecy was given, “‘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!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you’” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17, NKJV). Now it was tomorrow, (just as tomorrow for us will be 2020), and Jehoshaphat was setting the singers in front of the army. “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: ‘Praise the Lord, for His Mercy endures forever’” (2 Chronicles 20:21, NKJV).
Praise was the ambush God wanted, and all the pride, self-reliance and vindictiveness of the nations who stood before Judah, were no match for the Lord. The Lord set ambushes against Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, by turning them to fight one another, until not a single man was left standing. God used the cover of praise to blind Judah’s enemies and turn them against themselves. He fought for His people as they praised Him and He is going to do this again throughout 2020. He is calling us, His body, to position ourselves, in stillness, to see the salivation of the Lord.
Position, Stand and See the salvation of the Lord who is with us! It’s all done through praise! Praising the Lord positions us within His victory, where we are then able to stand and see salvation. 2020 vision, by faith, turns a bad, hopeless situation into the spoils of victory. It took Jehoshaphat and his people more time to collect the spoils of their victory (3 days), than the duration of prior ordeal. It’s time to praise!
