Jeshophat, a servant leader

2 Chronicles 20:1-30. Jehoshaphat is a great example of a leader in God’s kingdom. The first description that comes to my mind to describe him is “servant leader.” I don’t want the word servant to connote weakness, because it should not. Instead it should give insight to the fact that Jehoshaphat was more concerned with the greatness of Judah and the people of Judah following God than his glory. He served God who had given him authority over God’s people in Judah and he was committed to God’s glory being shown in Judah more than to his own personal glory. This can easily be seen when contrasted with the lives of the Kings Ahab and Ahaziah, who led Israel during his reign over Judah. So Jehoshaphat serves God, but he is a strong leader. Therefore, he is a servant leader.
In chapter 20, there are several examples of this type of leadership.
When he heard of the impending attack by an army much more powerful than his what was his response? First he was afraid for the lives of his people because he knew that this foe was much stronger than his forces. So he went to God in prayer. What is more he led the entire nation in prayer and fasting. He is leading the people in serving God and trusting God. He goes to the temple to pray. Why? Because the temple in Jerusalem is the only place on earth where the presence of God dwells. He goes before God’s presence. He comes to God in trust, acknowledging his authority, power, promise to Israel, and asking what he should do as the King.
Immediately I see application to my own life here. How can I come before God’s presence with petition for needs? At the time the temple was the only place where God’s presence dwelt, today God’s presence dwells in the soul of every believer. For me to come before God’s presence is to turn my soul to his seeking his face in prayer. It is to fall to my knees in prayer.
After leading the entire nation in prayer. God answers Jehoshaphat’s prayer with the words of his prophet. God says to him go and you will not even need to fight because you will see the salvation of God. Wow. This verse excites me because this is a foreshadowing of what Christ has done. In my life, sin and the wages of sin are the insurmountable foe about to attack that I am not able to overcome. But as I have turned and prayed to God, trusting in him, he has said to me, “Don’t be afraid my child, your faith has saved you, and you will need even need to fight this foe for Christ already has. Go. See the salvation that is from the Lord.”
When Jehoshaphat hears this what is his response? He bowed before God and led the entire nation in praise. He worshipped God. He did not get up and go out and fight immediately. His heart was glad and relieved and happy in the Lord and it caused him to worship God and praise God. This should be my response daily as I acknowledge how God has brought salvation to me. Even more specifically as things I pray for God answers, I should fall on my face thanking him and praising him because he is God, and he alone is worthy.
I love the admonition that he gives his men as they leave to find the enemy. He says, “Believe in the Lord your God and you will be established, believe in his prophets and you will succeed.” Oh, how I want this to be the motto of my life. The battle cry of my soul. “Believe in God and you will be established, believe in his word and you will succeed.” What a great promise to claim for my life, and for yours. Let us listen to the leadership of Jehoshaphat today and trust in God alone for our salvation, and praise him for he is worthy