Engaging in the Lord's Battle | 2 Chronicles 20:1-13

Text: 2 Chronicles 20:1–12 Listen to this sermon on Spotify by clicking here

TT - 4 steps to help you engage in the Lord’s battle.

Introduction

A church in Bristol, England, once decided to take their neighborhood back—not with protests, petitions, or politics, but with prayer. They started what they called “Prayer Patrols.”

Three times a day, groups of believers walked through their streets, knocking on doors, praying with people, and collecting prayer requests. In just months, robberies dropped 51%, burglaries dropped 21%, and even city officials said, “Prayer has broken the siege mentality of our community.”

When God’s people decide to take spiritual battles seriously, heaven moves and hell trembles.

Jehoshaphat faced such a moment. A vast army was coming. He had no military answer, but he did have a spiritual one. From his example, we see four steps to help us engage in the Lord’s battle.

1. Recognize the Enemy (vv. 1–2)

“It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon… came against Jehoshaphat to battle.” (v. 1)

The first step is awareness. Jehoshaphat didn’t pretend everything was fine. He faced the truth—the enemy was real, and the threat was near.

Cross-References

Ephesians 6:12 – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…”

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

John 10:10 – “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”

Illustration

A soldier who doesn’t believe he’s in a war will never put on his armor. During World War II, a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda kept hiding in the jungle for 29 years after the war ended—because he didn’t believe the war was over. Many believers live the opposite way—they think the war never began.

Church, spiritual warfare isn’t fiction—it’s fact. The enemy attacks our minds with doubt, our marriages with division, and our churches with distraction.

You can’t win a battle you refuse to acknowledge. Once Jehoshaphat recognized the enemy, he made the wisest move possible—he didn’t run to the armory; he ran to the altar.

2. Resort to Seeking the Lord (vv. 3–4)

“Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” (v. 3)

Jehoshaphat’s fear didn’t drive him to panic—it drove him to prayer.

He called the whole nation to fast and seek help from the Lord.

A. Fast

Fasting isn’t a hunger strike to twist God’s arm—it’s a posture of humility that says, “God, I need You more than I need food.”

Cross-References:

Joel 2:12 – “Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”

Matthew 6:17–18 – Jesus said, “When thou fastest… thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

B. Ask Help of the Lord

They gathered to ask help of the LORD.

Cross-References:

Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Philippians 4:6–7 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Illustration

When a little boy was helping his father move stones from the garden, he struggled with one that was too big. His dad watched, then asked, “Son, did you use all your strength?” The boy said, “Yes!” His father replied, “No, you didn’t—you never asked me to help.”

Too often we wrestle with burdens God never intended us to carry alone. The battle begins when we stop trying and start trusting.

Jehoshaphat not only sought God—he remembered who God was. Prayer turned into praise as he recalled God’s greatness.

3. Recall the Power of God (vv. 6–8)

Jehoshaphat stood before the people and prayed: “O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen?” (v. 6)

Jehoshaphat reminded himself—and everyone listening—of God’s past power and present sovereignty.

A. Recognize God’s Sovereignty

He said, “In Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee?”

When you pray, remind yourself who you’re talking to. God has never lost a battle, and He doesn’t plan to start with yours.

Cross-References:

Psalm 115:3 – “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”

Daniel 4:35 – “He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven… and none can stay his hand.”

B. Remember God’s Previous Work

Jehoshaphat recounted how God had given them the land and delivered their ancestors. Remembering yesterday’s victories fuels faith for today’s battles.

Cross-References:

Psalm 77:11–12 – “I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.”

Lamentations 3:21–23 – “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed…”

Illustration

When David faced Goliath, he remembered the lion and the bear. The same God who delivered him before would deliver him again. That’s the pattern of faith: look back and you’ll see evidence that God never fails.

After recognizing the enemy, seeking the Lord, and recalling God’s power, Judah was ready to stand back and watch what God could do. Their faith turned into action—and their action turned into victory.

4. Realize God’s Mighty Work (vv. 13–30)

After prayer came praise. God spoke through Jahaziel:

“Be not afraid nor dismayed… for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (v. 15)

A. The People Gathered

Men, women, and children stood before the Lord together (v. 13). Unity preceded victory.

Cross-References:

Acts 1:14 – “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.”

Matthew 18:19–20 – “If two of you shall agree on earth… it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

B. The Choir Led in Praise

Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army, singing, “Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth forever.” (v. 21)

When they began to sing, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies. Praise opened the door for power.

Cross-References:

Psalm 149:6 – “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.”

Acts 16:25–26 – When Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises, the prison doors flew open.

C. The Enemy Was Destroyed

By the time Judah arrived, the battle was over—the enemies had turned on each other. God fought the fight while His people worshiped.

Cross-References:

Exodus 14:13–14 – “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD… The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

Romans 8:31 – “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Illustration

During the American Civil War, a Union soldier wrote home saying, “I’ve learned that when I fight, I lose. But when I pray and let God fight, we win.” Judah discovered the same truth.

The victory didn’t belong to Jehoshaphat’s army—it belonged to God. The same is true for every battle you face today.

Closing: Engage Like the Prayer Walkers

Like those Prayer Patrols in Bristol, Judah didn’t fight their battle with physical weapons, but with prayer, praise, and unity.

We are called to do the same. When spiritual darkness seems to surround your home, your church, your community—don’t retreat. Engage.

Recognize the enemy. Resort to seeking the Lord. Recall the power of God. Realize His mighty work.

And when you do, you’ll discover what Jehoshaphat did:

“The battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15)

So stand firm, lift your voice in praise, and let God fight for you. The victory is already His.