Introduction

• Second message in the church’s new year vision series titled “Watch God Work.”
• Pastor celebrates faith that God will do great things in the coming year and invites the congregation to record past works of God and present requests.
• Text: 2 Chronicles 20, where Jehoshaphat faces a vast army and models how to respond when opposition arrives.
• Central thrust: shift attention from self and circumstance to the greatness of God, placing all eyes on Him.

Key Points / Exposition

1. Panic or Pray

• Jehoshaphat initially feels fear yet resolves to inquire of the Lord and proclaims a fast.
• Fear is natural but must not be allowed to rule.
• Two buttons: Panic represents feelings, Prayer represents faith.
• Prayer is the believer’s first response, never a last resort.
• Personal examples include searching for a missing child at the L.A. Zoo and aiding first responders during regional fires, where prayer shifted perspective.
• Effects of prayer: changes perspective, restores peace, and aligns the heart with God’s sovereignty.

2. Remember Who God Is

• Jehoshaphat reheats God’s attributes as Ruler of nations, all-powerful, and covenant-keeper to Abraham.
• The purpose is not to inform God but to remind ourselves.
• Attributes highlighted: holy, faithful, loving, sovereign, good, just, merciful, gracious, compassionate, patient, wise, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, immutable.
• Principle: if you have a small view of God, you will have big problems; if you have a big view of God, your problems shrink.
• Psalm 77 demonstrates how remembering past deeds fuels current faith.

3. Do Your Part, Let God Do His

• Divine command: you will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions and stand firm.
• Human responsibilities include surrender, submit, and sacrifice.
• Surrender means yielding life entirely to God.
• Submit means living under biblical authority.
• Sacrifice includes giving generously, such as the December 7 offering.
• Life applications include parenting lessons on tithing and work, personal obedience, and practical steps toward employment or relationships.
• Maxim: pray like it depends on God; work like it depends on you.

4. Praise Prepares the Way

• Strategy reversal: worshippers are sent ahead of the army.
• As praise rises, God sets ambushes against the enemy, showing worship as spiritual warfare.
• Hebrew word “halal” means to boast, celebrate, shine, or rave in joyful praise.
• Worship is individual and cannot be done on someone else’s behalf.

Major Lessons and Revelations

• Faith is expressed not by absence of fear but by turning fear into prayer and fasting.
• Knowing God’s character is the antidote to anxiety and the engine of courageous faith.
• Partnership principle: God fights when His people stand, obey, and worship.
• Praise is a frontline weapon that shifts atmospheres and secures victory.

Practical Application

1. Establish a reflex of prayer by committing to pray before posting, planning, or panicking.
2. Create a list of God’s past faithfulness and review it during crises.
3. Identify areas to surrender, submit, and sacrifice this year in time, talent, and treasure.
4. Begin daily with active praise by verbalizing God’s attributes and singing even when circumstances intimidate.
5. Teach the next generation practical faith habits such as earning, tithing, and serving.

Conclusion and Call to Response

• Like Jehoshaphat, acknowledge the truth: we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on God.
• Call for the congregation to stand firm in surrendered obedience, lift a personal song of praise, and watch God work throughout the coming year.