What If?

 "Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek Him." 2 Chronicles 20: 3, 4

    Almost daily, I have been watching the news of the war in Israel. Though I do not pretend to know all the ins and outs of the Middle East, I do know this is a spiritual battle. The demonic warfare against the Israelites that were perpetrated in the holy scriptures is the same spirit of the antichrist we see in action today.

    This has led me to my Bible. Time and time again - from David vs. Goliath to the release of Peter from prison - we see the Lord's deliverance in His timing and in His way. The human beings in these accounts were eyewitnesses of a battle between the King of Kings and Satan, the father of lies.

    While reading the twentieth chapter of 2 Chronicles, when the enemies of God's kingdom of Judah came against King Jehoshaphat, it was with great interest I read of what happened next. When the king was told that a "vast army" was coming, did he run for cover? Did he take assessments of his armaments and troops? No, he inquired of the Lord first, then proclaimed a fast for all the people. He stood in full view of everyone and prayed, acknowledging "power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you." (vs. 6)

    So, I got to thinking... What if Prime Minister Netanyahu, while positioned before the flags of Israel, looked into the many cameras focused on him and publicly, confidently prayed? What if he, filled with the Spirit of the Lord and in full submission to His sovereignty and authority, would hear the word of the Lord saying, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God's...Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." (verses 15, 17)

    Can you imagine if Netanyahu, still following in the footsteps of King Jehoshaphat, "appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army" (vs. 21)? Would you say this was foolhardy? Would it be an invitation for Israel's enemies to mock and revile as did Goliath to David?

    If this seems like archaic fairy tales, think again. Biblical prophecy tells us exactly what will happen in the future: "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming." (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

    What if we stood firmly on the strength and promises of God? Imagine the victories that would be ours!

"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

"Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore." Psalm 131:3