OVERCOMING GREAT DIFFICULTIES
(2 Chron 20:1-3)

"It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab,and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle... And Jehoshaphat feared.."

Indeed Jehoshaphat had a right to fear, the enemy was great and attack was imminent. Satan likes nothing better than fearful, discouraged lives. He hates lives lived to the honor and glory of God. On the other hand, God wants us to enjoy victory over fear and anxiety. He wants us to see His power and ability in every area of our life. Have you ever been so afraid, you didn't know what to do? Are you going through some great difficulty today and you're not certain of God's will? Jehoshaphat shows us the steps God would have us take in our time of trial or trouble.

SEEK GOD'S PLAN (3)
"(Jehoshaphat) set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."
Here we have a great example of putting first things first. All to often when trouble strikes, we start looking to man made plans or programs of action, often with no thought of God. Are we really taking spiritual warfare seriously? The prodigal son thought he had a better plan, so he took all his inheritance and squandered it on fast living. (Luke 15:17) says, "When he came to himself.. ". He had to hit rock bottom before he saw the light. How much better he would have been to follow God's rather that his own will. The Psalm writer said, "This poor man cried and the Lord heard him" (Psa 34:6) Are you crying out to God, asking Him to show you the way to victory?

SEEK GOD'S POWER (6)
"And in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee?"
Jehoshaphat and the people lifted up their voices waiting for God's power to be revealed. The enemy was practically on their doorstep, yet they knew how important it was to wait on God. You see, God has the power to overcome even the greatest enemy. We cannot stand on our own. There is no victory apart from Jesus. But, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. Psalm 37:5 says,"Trust in the Lord and He shall bring it to pass." All too often we allow circumstances to direct our actions rather than God. Ask God to reveal His power in your time of trouble.

SEEK GOD'S PROMISES (7)
"Art not Thou our God who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land and gavest it to the seed of Abraham, Thy friend forever?"
Jehoshaphat remembered the promise of God to Abraham and he claimed that promise. We don't pray to let God know the situation, we pray to ask what God wants to do in our situation. The Bible is filled with the promises of God and every promise He makes is yea and amen. He fulfills His promises. We have the promise to overcome, to receive help in time of need, to experience God's presence in all of our troubles, just to mention a few. Someone has said, "There are three-hundred, sixty-five promises in the Bible, one for everyday of the year." God, speaking through the Psalmist said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify Me."(Psa 50:15). The course that leads to victory is calling on God, waiting on His promise, and submitting to His will.

Jehoshaphat and all the people prayed to God seeking His plan, His power and His promises. God answered their prayer in a mighty way. God said, "Hearken ye all Judah and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but Gods." (2 Chron 20:15) 1 don't know how God will work in your trial or trouble, but I do know He is willing to get personally involved.

Ann Landers receives an average of 10,000 letters per month. When asked if there was a predominant theme in any of them, she said, "People are afraid of losing their health, wealth, and their loved ones. People are afraid of life itself' Someone has wisely said, "The way to take fear out of living, is to put faith in the Lord." God answers the prayer of faith in a mighty way. Commit yourself to Him and let Him show you what He wants to do. May God help us to take Him at His word and put these steps into practice when difficulties strike. God bless.