Psalm 5:3 NIV: “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Psalm 5:3 ESV: “O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”
When I get up for the day, I usually haven’t been stumped about any decisions or choices to be made just yet. My mind is more at ease. That is when I can commit my whole day to God, as He hears my voice. I lay out the pieces of my life and bring my requests to Him, and seek His direction from reading His Word.
David prayed to God in the morning and throughout the day. He was in continual communication with the LORD.
King Jehoshaphat was a noted prayer warrior as well (2 Chronicles 20) and yet he and all of Judah, were ministered to and encouraged by a man named Jahaziel. His name meant “God sees.” He was a Levite and is mentioned as delivering a divine message. God used Jahaziel as an intercessor when Jehoshaphat’s land was being invaded. Jehoshaphat was in a desperate situation as the enemy was too close for comfort. It says in 2 Chron. 20:3, that “he was afraid and sought to seek the LORD.” Jahaziel arrives and says to Jehoshaphat, and all of Judah, and Jerusalem, in 2 Chronicles 20:15-17: “. . . This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged at this great horde, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them . . . You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold onto your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Tomorrow, go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” God spoke through this man named Jahaziel, and this is the only mention of him in the Bible. He was a worship leader and not a prophet, but God used him as His prophetic messenger.
But that is not the end of the story. The next morning, very early, Jehoshaphat and all of the people of Judah and Jerusalem prayed, and worshipped God together before going into combat. Children saw their parents and the king on his face before God. The people were then so confident in God’s promise of victory, before the battle, that their choir marched in front of the army, singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His steadfast love endures forever (2 Chron. 20:21b).”
Jehoshaphat declared to all of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem before the anticipated warfare:
- Have faith in the LORD, your God.
- You will be upheld by God Almighty.
- God will bring success in battle.
God intervened and caused confusion among the enemy, who mistakenly turned upon themselves and annihilated each other – none escaped. The battle was won before they even had to fight! The LORD made Jehoshaphat and his people rejoice over their enemies that were now only corpses lying on the ground. It is called the Valley of Beracah to this day (2 Chron. 2:26-27), meaning blessing.
Application:
- We all will face temptations and struggles.
- Recognize human limitations vs. the abundant power of God.
- Allow God’s strength to work through your fears, weaknesses, and insecurities.
- Realize the battle is not yours but God’s.
- God will maneuver in ways we cannot even imagine or anticipate.
- God always triumphs.
- Stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, just as he did to Jehoshaphat, Judah, and the people of Jerusalem in 2 Chronicles 20.
- “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21b.
Questions:
Are you starting out your morning with focusing time on a chapter or even just a verse of scripture and prayer with God, before running out the door?
Do you recall past answers to prayers that surprised you or you didn’t maybe expect, but you asked God anyway? Review those times of answered burdens from the past, when life looks hopeless or feeling dismayed.
What can you thank and praise God for in your anticipated battle, before you head into that meeting that you are dreading?
When you have felt desperation, has someone supplied your needed voice of encouragement? Who does God want you to uplift in their time of need this week?
My prayer: “Dear Lord, help me to remember throughout my day today that you are in control. You are fighting my battles for me in ways I do not even see or realize. Help me to adapt when I stumble and fall and feel I am a failure. You have been my Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides today and tomorrow. I thank you for your faithfulness and enduring love for me! In Jesus name, Amen.”
Listen to Jeremy Camp’s song, “In The Morning When I Rise.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KG9bl6kX7s