Jumping Jehoshaphat!
“O Lord, God of our fathers, are You not the God Who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations...” - 2 Chronicles 20:6
This week, I had an office full of people—checking in, using the microwave, browsing brochures. During this busy evening, a young woman holding a bowl of hot soup turned around and accidentally bumped into another guest. The bowl slipped from her hands, she blurted, "Jumping Jehoshaphat!" but miraculously, they both caught it without spilling a drop. The room froze, and I exclaimed, “What did you say?” She responded, “Oh, he’s my favorite King in the Bible, so full of faith!” This encounter inspired me to dive into my bible and explore the incredible story of King Jehoshaphat.
In 2 Chronicles 20, we see a pivotal moment in King Jehoshaphat’s life when his faith was put to the test during a threat. News arrived that a powerful army from Moab was advancing against Judah. Alarmed, Jehoshaphat didn’t succumb to fear; instead, he called for prayer and fasting (2 Chronicles 20:3).
His approach to crisis is a model for us today. He began the national prayer by acknowledging God’s sovereignty: “O Lord, God of our fathers, are You not the God Who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations...” (2 Chronicles 20:6). This is how we should pray—recognizing who God is and what He can do.
After this powerful prayer, Jehoshaphat expressed a common feeling: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12). How relatable is this, especially in our times of uncertainty? We all face moments filled with unanswered questions—whether regarding our work, relationships, or life choices.
The key to navigating these uncertainties lies in our focus. Jehoshaphat teaches us that, even when we feel lost, we must fix our eyes upon God. The Spirit of the Lord responded to Jehoshaphat's plea and assured him that the battle was His (2 Chronicles 20:15). This reassurance didn’t exempt Judah from action; instead, God commanded them to walk forward and confront their fears (vv. 16-17).
As they prepared for battle, Jehoshaphat encouraged the people: “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld” (2 Chronicles 20:20). The extraordinary miracle that followed was God causing the enemy to turn against one another, resulting in an unforeseen victory for Judah (vv. 23-24). They acted in faith without knowing the outcome, and God delivered them in a way only He could.
This brings us back to “Jumping Jehoshaphat.” When we face daunting challenges or overwhelming news, we should "jump" into God’s arms. The journey may seem daunting, but our response should be to call upon Him, trusting that He will catch us and guide us.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of King Jehoshaphat, who shows us how to turn to You in times of trouble. Help us to embrace faith, especially when we feel lost and uncertain. Teach us to jump into Your arms, trusting in Your goodness and sovereignty. As we face our own “battles,” may we stand firm in faith and keep our eyes upon You. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.