What is Your Great Multitude?

"Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's." II Chronicles 20:15 NKJV

Jehoshaphat was the recipient of bad news. A messenger arrived and told him there was a great multitude poised and ready to destroy him and the people of Judah. Scripture tells us Jehoshaphat was filled with fear and set himself to seek the Lord. He reminded God--not that God ever needs reminding--of His power. Jehoshaphat pointed out that he and the people of Judah had built a sanctuary, established in God's name, and Jehoshaphat promised God, "If disaster comes . . . we will stand in Your presence, for Your name is in this temple."

Jehoshaphat's disaster was a great multitude -- a vast combined army of Moabites and Ammonites -- come to battle against Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. This great multitude was bad news. 

Many of us have tried to build or pattern our lives and establish our testimonies in God's name and for His glory. But disasters will come in our lives, even a life established for God. In the face of bad news, we have an opportunity to glorify God and stand in His presence, even if that bad news strikes fear in our hearts. Disaster can come in any form. Most recently, cancer has invaded the body of our son, our only child.

In 2 Chronicles 20:14, God chose to speak through a man named Jahaziel, declaring that the people and Jehoshaphat were not to be consumed by fear or filled with anxiety because of this great multitude. The looming battle was not in the hands of Jehoshaphat. It was God's battle, and He would show himself mighty.

Jehoshaphat didn't have a choice. Turning and running was not an option. Facing the enemy on his own would have been foolish. In his faith, even though he feared, he knew what to do. He bowed his face to God and called on the power of heaven to save him and his people.

What is your "great multitude?" Jehoshaphat was faced with a vast army. Our family is facing cancer in our only child. This heinous disease is a formidable enemy, one that causes us to tremble in fear. But the Scripture (verse 15) says, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's." We can take out the words "this great multitude" and fill in the blank with "cancer" or any other crisis we face in our lifetime, and the Scripture remains intact. Like Jehoshaphat, we don't have a choice. We are clinging to our heavenly Father and trusting Him to work through the doctors to heal our son.

The battle can't be ours. We don't have the power within ourselves to overcome our son's illness. We can't defeat the disease in our own strength. But trusting the One who is all powerful, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). This fight belongs to God. Prayer and faith are our responsibility. The outcome is His.

So, what is your "great multitude?" It's unlikely your are facing a vast army about to overrun your home. But disasters vary. The omnipotent One never changes.

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