June 13

While David wasn’t a sinless man (none of us are), he was a man who sought after God’s heart. And God’s hand of favor was upon David. The words of David in Psalm 34:8-10 reflect David’s gratitude. “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him! Let the Lord’s people show Him reverence, for those who honor Him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.”
One individual who took those words to heart was King Jehoshaphat. When King Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would join forces with Ahab to fight Aram, Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course!......But, first let’s find out what the Lord says” (I Kings 22:4& 5; II Chronicles 18:3&4; see also II Kings 3:11). Jehoshaphat was an “ambassador for God”, pleading with people to be “reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:18-20; II Chronicles 19:4). When he appointed judges, he reminded them to be fair, to act with integrity, avoid taking bribes, and not pervert justice (19:5-10). His instructions to them were, “Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right” (19:11).
When the combined armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat, he not only sought the Lord personally, but he also gave orders for “everyone throughout Judah” to also pray, fast, and seek the Lord (II Chron. 20:3&4). “O our God......we do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help” (20:12). Because of Jehoshaphat’s faith, and because he so successfully led his people to seek God as well, God promised him, “You will not even need to fight, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (20:17,15). As his army went out to battle, King Jehoshaphat shouted to his troops, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed” (20:20). And sure enough, God fulfilled His promise. The enemy troops had turned on one another and killed all of their own. The Israelites didn’t even have to fight. It took them three days to gather all the equipment, clothing, and other valuables from the bodies of their fallen enemy (20:24-26).
Is it so foolish to think that God would do similar miracles today, if people had the faith of Jehoshaphat? How will we know, unless we give it a try? “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”