Victory in the Midst of Tribulation: the Lord shows you how

How are you doing in the midst of tribulation? Are you challenged because you don’t know what to do? Are you worried and experiencing anxiety, as you look with your eyes and experience with your senses, until your emotions are raw? God teaches you a better way through, showing you valuable life lessons by the lives of Jehoshaphat and David that will lead you to experience success, even in the midst of these challenges.

Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah. David was king of Israel. During their reign they faced situations when their enemy was coming against them. For Jehoshaphat, it was described as a great multitude (2 Chronicles 20:2). For David, the village where he lived was attacked when he was at war elsewhere, resulting in the entire area being burned and the families taken captive (1 Samuel 30:1-3). You may not relate to their struggles, but a struggle is a struggle. How they dealt with their problems is a road map of success for you!

Scripture says that Jehoshaphat “set himself determinedly as his vital need to seek the Lord;” (2 Chronicles 20:3). Even all the people of Judah “gathered together to ask help from the Lord” and they “yearned for Him with all their desire” (2 Chronicles 20:4). Jehoshaphat stated, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12). David was exhausted from all the fighting. To make matters worse his men spoke about stoning him because they were greatly distressed regarding the destruction of the city and their families captured (1 Samuel 30:6). Notice these men did not rely on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-8)!

The first lesson: in the midst of trouble seek the Lord.

Jehoshaphat confirms to God, “In Your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand You” (2 Chronicles 20:6). He recalls their history with God, noting past victory regarding this enemy, and affirming that when God’s people cry out to the Lord, He “will hear and save” (2 Chronicles 20:9). By confirming God’s qualities, and recalling His faithfulness and ability, Jehoshaphat is encouraging himself and the people. 1 Samuel 30:6 notes that David “encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord”.

The second lesson: you must encourage yourself in the Lord.

Jehoshaphat and David by their actions to seek the Lord and encourage themselves in Him, indicate that they recognized God was powerful, wise and good. Their actions suggest that they are in expectation that He would help them to be victorious. Their behavior also suggests that they trust Him.

The third lesson: Trust the Lord at all times!

They acknowledged God and He directed their paths (Proverbs 3:5-8)! Their expectations were met! God spoke to both of them with directions about fighting the battle. God tells Jehoshaphat, “Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). God tells him specifically what they must do, but they will not need to fight. The people of Judah were still required to demonstrate obedience to the Lord and trust, by following His directions; doing what He says would result in victory (2 Chronicles 20:16,17). David was also given instruction to pursue the enemy, “for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” (1 Samuel 30:8). David and his men were also required to be obedient to the instructions of the Lord and trust Him.

The fourth lesson: be obedient to what God tells you to do.

Just because God gave instructions didn’t mean that everyone had warm and fuzzy feelings about God’s direction to them. Jehoshaphat and the people were facing are large multitude. David and his men were exhausted but had to find the enemy and be prepared for battle, which meant great physical strength. So, how did they do it? They did it believing what God said and trusting Him. If God said it, they could do it in His strength and victory belonged to them!

This is the fifth lesson: believe and you will see the glory of God!

Now imagine this: Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah follow God’s instruction and go to meet the enemy, praising and worshipping God; “Give thanks to the Lord for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). The Lord had spoken to them and based on His word alone, before seeing any results, they were confident and trusting, worshipping Him for His faithfulness and provision. Their confidence in the Lord resulted in great victory! Just as God had said, they did not need to fight. Instead, the enemy fought against each other, self-slaughtering the entire multitude! Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were rewarded with “great spoils of goods, garments and precious things, so much that it took them three days to gather everything” (2 Chronicles 20:22-25). David and his men pursued the enemy as they were instructed, destroying them and “recovering all that they had lost”; nothing missing and additional spoils gained (1 Samuel 30:18-20). They believed God’s word, remained steadfast upon what He said, and they prospered (2 Chronicles 20:20). Honoring and praising God, even in the midst of trials, causes a result for your benefit!

The sixth lesson: praise the Lord at all times! Your position of battle is worship!

How can you avoid being overwhelmed by circumstances that cause you to be dismayed or experience fear? Behave like Jehoshaphat and David! It is essential, however, that you be fully persuaded about God’s character and His ability, trusting His word. If you are not fully persuaded, you will not even get to step one, which is to seek God as your vital necessity, to yearn for Him with all of your heart! Each step builds upon the other, and they all build upon a foundation of the knowledge of God and His love. The outcome of being fully persuaded is an experience of the outpouring of God’s divine favor, grace and mercy. Be in expectation and hope because He has spoken to you!