Fearing the Edomites, Moabites and Fleabites...

 Written by my daughter Rebecca....

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” ~ 2 Chronicles 20:3

 Jehoshaphat had just received news that the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Edomites had all joined forces and were coming against Judah. The tiny nation did not have a chance. In Jehoshaphat's words, “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (vs. 12)

By the next day there was not an Ammonite, Moabite, or Edomite soldier left alive. They had turned on one another - “No one had escaped” (vs. 24) - and left no work for the army of Judah except carrying away a tremendous amount of valuable spoil.

How foolish our fears must be to the Lord! “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...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.” (vs. 15, 17) The entire nation of Judah was terrified. If only they could have looked a mere day into the future, they would have laughed!

The thing is, though, if we just listened to the Lord ALL the time, we would never be afraid. Even Jehoshaphat wouldn't have been worried when he received the news of the approaching army. We know the Lord's promises and His character. We know His love and unfathomable grace toward us. The Lord did not even spare His own beloved Son for our sake, and that was while we were yet sinners! How can we rationally doubt Him at any point in our lives, no matter what the circumstances might be? Even His CHASTENING is loving and only for our good! And when, in years to come, Judah was judged by the Lord and carried away captive to Babylon, it was still utterly merciful. They had fallen so far that judgment was the only way they could be saved.

Will I wake up tomorrow morning and find all the Edomites and Moabites and Ammonites defeated? No, probably not. But the LORD is still my Shepherd. He's proven Himself again and again. Whatever happens, it is well with my soul.

Psalm 23:1, 6, “The LORD is my shepherd;



I shall not want...
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me



All the days of my life;



And I will dwell in the house of the LORD



Forever.”