The enemy marched against them, much larger in number.  They had already conquered several cities before them.  The king feared for the lives of his people and prayed.   

King Jehoshaphat called his people together,  then stood up before them and prayed,  “O Lord, God of our fathers, you’re the God of heaven and earth.  You  rule over all nations and kingdoms.  All power is yours, and there is no one who can stand up against you.  You are our God.  You are the one who drove out the inhabitants of the land and brought your people Israel here just as you promised our father Abraham, your special friend.  Your people have lived here and built a temple for worshiping you.  You said that if troubles came, whether through famine, war, sickness or any other calamity and we came to the temple, looking to you for help in our distress, you would hear our prayers and save us……O Lord, our God, please help us! we’re helpless against such a vast army.  We don’t know what to do.  So we’re looking to you to save us”  2 Chronicles 20:6-12. 

The Lord provided an answer, “Don’t be afraid of this large army.  The battle belongs to the Lord and not to you.  Tomorrow morning march out against your enemies……You won’t have to fight.  Just take up your positions, stand firm and see what the Lord will do for Judah and Jerusalem.  Don’t be afraid and don’t get discouraged.  Tomorrow morning go out and face your enemies, and the Lord will go with you.”  2 Chronicles 20:15-17. 

The next morning the troops prepared to march.  King Jehoshaphat ordered the Levites to put on the robes they wore for sacred occasions, organize themselves into a choir and march ahead of the army singing, “Praise to the Lord! Give thanks to Him.  His love is eternal, it never fails.”  2 Chronicles 20:21 

The army marched forward.  “Praise God” was their battle cry.   “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes,” and the enemy forces of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir were completely defeated without Israel’s having to fight.  Not a single enemy remained alive.  2 Chronicles 20:23.    

 How did this victory  happen?   In the prayer of King Jehoshaphat he first praised God.  Then he reminded God of all His past victories won for them.  King Jehoshaphat expressed his faith in what he knew God could do.  1 John 5:4 5 tells us, “You belong to God. So you have won the victory over these people, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”    Faith is the victory that conquers the world.   Because God’s people had praised His name, He won the battle for them.  Praise invites God’s presence.  It manifests God’s power and moves God’s forces. 

How do we acquire faith like that?  Feed your soul on the word of God.  “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”  Romans 10:17.