Jehoshaphat: The King Who Trusted God By Ismael Burciaga
Long ago, in the kingdom of Judah, there ruled a good king named Jehoshaphat. He was the son of King Asa and became king when he was 35 years old. From the very start of his reign, Jehoshaphat chose to follow God with all his heart.
Unlike many kings around him, Jehoshaphat didn’t chase after false idols or follow the evil practices of other nations. Instead, he worked hard to bring the people of Judah back to the Lord. He sent out teachers, priests, and Levites to travel through the towns and read God’s Law to the people. Because of his faithfulness, God blessed his kingdom with peace and strength. Even surrounding nations began to fear the Lord and respected Judah.
Jehoshaphat was a wise ruler, but he wasn’t perfect. At one point, he made an alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. Together they went to battle, but it was a trap. Ahab was killed in the fight, and Jehoshaphat barely escaped with his life. When he returned home, a prophet warned him: “You shouldn’t have helped the wicked.” Jehoshaphat repented and turned back to leading Judah in God’s ways.
The biggest test of Jehoshaphat’s faith came when a vast army from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir marched toward Judah. The people were terrified. Jehoshaphat didn’t panic. He prayed. He gathered everyone in Jerusalem, stood before the people, and cried out to God:
“We have no power to face this vast army. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
God answered through a prophet named Jahaziel:
“Do not be afraid or discouraged. The battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not need to fight this battle. Just stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.”
The next day, Jehoshaphat did something remarkable. He placed singers at the front of the army. These worshipers praised God as they marched toward the enemy. As they sang, God caused confusion among the enemy armies. They turned on each other and destroyed themselves. When Judah arrived, the battle was already won. Not a single enemy remained. It took three days to gather all the treasure left behind.
Jehoshaphat ruled for 25 years. He was not a perfect man, but he trusted God in both peace and danger. His story reminds us that when we do not know what to do, we can always turn our eyes to God. He is faithful to deliver.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan, 2011.
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