Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Devotionals by J.M. Farro


The Battle is Not Yours


"This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." - 2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV

On Christmas Day six years ago, I woke up with symptoms of a troublesome ailment that I had been battling for many years. The first thing I thought of was the long drive to my mother's house in another state, where our entire family gathers every year to celebrate the holidays. I didn't think that I could handle the long ride, but I wasn't sure I could handle disappointing my family, either. So I got on my knees and appealed to the Lord for His help. He led me to a familiar passage of Scripture that He enabled me to see in a new light.

A vast army of enemy soldiers was marching against King Jehoshaphat and his people. To the king's credit, he immediately turned to the Lord in prayer. And it was his prayer that caught my attention in my own time of need. Jehoshaphat told the Lord, "We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us." (2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV) The words, "We have no power," pierced my hurting soul. I, too, felt powerless against the onslaught of my enemy. Instead of declaring, "I can do all things through Christ," as I normally do, it felt so good and right to turn to my Savior and say, "Lord, I have no power..."

The next thing that Jehoshaphat told God was, "We do not know what to do." (2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV) I felt that this statement went against everything that I had been taught about the Word of God and my inheritance in Christ. I had become so accustomed to asking for divine wisdom according to James 1:5 and other verses in the Bible. Nevertheless, I followed Jehoshaphat's lead and confessed, "Lord, I don't know what to do..."

The king concluded his prayer with, "Our eyes are upon You." (2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV) Here, Jehoshaphat establishes his focus and his dependence upon God, even though Scripture says that when he first heard the news of a vast army coming against him, he was "alarmed". (2 Chronicles 20:3 NIV) And alarm was what I was wrestling with. But by faith, I pushed my fears aside and set my eyes squarely on God, telling Him, "Lord, my eyes are upon You".

God's response to the king's faith stance spoke to my own heart. "This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'" (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV) From then on, the main function of the king and his people was to praise and worship the Lord, declaring, "Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever." (2 Chronicles 20:21 NIV) This is one of the best examples in Scripture of how worship wins the war. "As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against [the king's enemies]...and they were defeated." (2 Chronicles 20:22-23 NIV)

God's message to me that Christmas Day enabled me to make it to my mother's house, where I could join with my loved ones in joyful celebration. I still struggled with fear and discouragement off and on that day, but each time I did, I got alone with the Lord and raised my hands to heaven, praising and worshiping Him for His goodness and grace. And thanking Him with all my heart for fighting my battles for me.

My healing didn't come overnight, but it did come. And as I look back, I know without a doubt that using Jehoshaphat's prayer and strategy made all the difference. What battles are you weary of fighting? I encourage you to turn them over to the Lord without delay, and watch Him do what only He can do, as you look to Him for the victory!

Prayer: Lord, I confess that I am utterly powerless to fight my own battles, and today I surrender them all to You. Teach me how to resist fear and discouragement, and to keep my eyes on You. Thank You that as I lift my voice and my hands in praise and thanksgiving, I can trust that my victory is on the way!


- J. M. Farro

 

go to main Devotionals page
go to Devotionals archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, March 14, 2025
ALBUMS
Shout Praises Kids! Español Buen Dios [Integrity]
UPPERROOM 1350 (Live) [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
1K Phew All I Need - Single [Reach]
Anchor Hymns Walk With Me/How Precious Your Presence (feat. Caroline Cobb, Sarah Kroger, and Stefan Cashwell) - Single [Integrity]
AZ Christlike Greater Works - Single [Syntax]
Big Daddy Weave Let It Begin - Single [Curb]
Blanca This Won't Take My Praise (feat. Taylor Hill) - Single [Curb]
Jekalyn Carr Don't Faint - Single [WayNorth]
Clemency Whole Heart - Single (independent)
Coqui only Idol - Multi Single [DREAM]
Just Cordell Wait - Single (independent)
Adriel Cruz We're Not Alone - Single [Syntax]
Grace Graber, Daniel Spriggs My Favorite Part - Single (independent)
Illustrate, Procyse Mask Off (Daniel DeGree Remix) - Single [Polished Arrow]
Knaladeus Your Love - Single [Syntax]
LO CLOUD Stars Align - Single (independent)
Newsboys How Many Times (oh how You love me) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Blessing Offor Lift Me Up - Single [Capitol CMG]
Nate Parrish Small - Single (independent)
Josiah Queen Yesterday is Dead - Single [Capitol CMG]
Emmy Rose Tend (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Tedashii Heavy Heart - Single [Reach]
Todd Tilghman Holy Place - Single [StowTown]
Brandon Watson Too Far Gone - Single (independent)

Next Friday, March 21, 2025
ALBUMS
Kayla Berry Soar - Single (independent)
Diatheke ...And The Word Was God [Rottweiler]
Ellie Holcomb Sing: Spring Songs [Capitol CMG]
Jesus Culture Worthy of Hallelujah (Live) [Capitol CMG]
Tauren Wells Let The Church Sing - EP [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Pat Boone ONE - Voices for Tanzania - Single [Lamb & Lions]
Faith Worship Arts The Lifter (Live) - Single [DREAM Worship]
Life.Church Worship Christ In Me - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Turn It To Praise - Single [Provident]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out the newest JFH Metal compilation - FREE!
Get JFH's 13th free indie compilation now!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images