Sermon Tone Analysis

Have you ever felt like giving up?

Those are the times when you ask yourself the question, “What’s the use?”

There are times in the best of lives, when the temptation to quit is overwhelming.

Everyone wants to succeed at the goals, which they establish.

We are encouraged when there are indicators that our efforts are not in vain.

Nothing is more discouraging then a series of failures, defeats, and setbacks.

Those are the times when we are overwhelmed with the odds in life that we feel like giving up.

As in the sport of boxing, when the corner of a boxer feels their boxer can not continue, they signal defeat by throwing a towel into the ring.

I attest, in personal witness, many otherwise confident Christians, find themselves throwing in the towel when they face odds that seem unbeatable.

What generates this feeling more than anything else are tough situations that seem *unsolvable* and *irresolvable* despite our best efforts.

Dealing with tough situations takes a whole lot of adjusting.

Some folks never get ready for tough times and they simply throw in the towel.

Consider if you will a story I heard once about when the devil decided to visit the church…Some have been through so much they can stand just about anything!

As Believers, we are comforted to know that if we stand for that which is right; our battles are God’s battles.

We are not lonely soldiers standing isolated on the battlefield, but we have the knowledge of knowing that our God joins us in our struggles, and promises us the victory through His power.

This text focuses on Jehoshaphat, as he learns that God will fight his battle.

This king of Judah found himself surrounded by a coalition of armies that included the Moabites, Ammonites and Edo mites.

They were in the process of attacking the people of Judah.

Jehoshaphat felt his only refuge was at the horns of the alter.

He resolved to employ the aid of God.

He called for a universal fast, a fast throughout the kingdom.

He led the people in prayer.

He reminded God that the enemies that were seeking to destroy Judah were the same nations God commanded Israel not to destroy when they left Egypt.

Jehoshaphat’s appeal to God was, to remember that their present trouble was the result of their previous obedience to God.

He then concludes by asking God to protect Judah.

As they prayed God sent word through the prophet Jahaziel, who told them that, the battle that was about to be fought was not their battle, but God’s.

In fact while it appeared that Israel would be the primary participant in the battle, they wouldn’t have to fight, but they would be victorious.

Hearing this, Jehoshaphat once again bowed his head and expressed thanks and gratitude to God.

 

Judah began preparations for a celebration.

They had a victory celebration before the battle.

The songs they sang were victory songs.

The praises they rendered were announcements of victory.

The Levites led the procession with their musical instruments; singing the 136th Psalm.

The people carried on not as a nation marching against an enemy, but as one returning in joyful triumph after a victory.

The moment they began to praise God, the Lord went to work.

The scripture says ambushes occurred.

Some have argued that God sent Angels to ambush the Ammonites and Moabites and made it appear as though one had attacked the other.

Others claim that there may have been arguments among them.

Whatever the case animosities sprung up, which led to widespread dissensions and fierce feuds, in which they drew their sword against each other.

The consequence was that the work of destruction was completed before Jehoshaphat and his army arrived at the battlefield.

When Judah finally made it to the battle scene, the enemy was destroyed.

They didn’t have to fight at all, but rather take possession of the immense treasure that was there.

Today there are many who are fighting daily battles for one reason or another.

Battles are small confrontations that are only a part of great wars.

Sometimes battles can be pivotal in determining the outcome of the war.

The great American battles at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, during the civil war, were pivotal because a victory or a loss would affect the final outcome of the war.

In a similar sense, each of our small battles are pivotal.

They may not be the whole war, but they can set up a series of events that determine the end.

When Jehoshaphat faced his enemies, he recognized them as people that Israel could have dealt with in their own way and avoid this trouble.

However, Israel obeyed God.

The battle was not their battle, but it was God’s battle.

And He proved Himself quite able to win His own battles.

Many believer’s battles are God’s battles.

These are battles that occur in our lives because we tried to do what we felt was right, and ill feelings, misunderstanding, confusion, and even serious trouble resulted.

You tried to help someone and they turned on you.

You gave your honest opinion and it wasn’t received well.

You refused to participate in ungodly activity.

You fell into financial trouble at no fault of your own.

These are the small battles that besiege Believers everyday.

The word of God reminds us that these daily battles will occur because Satan brings them against us.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Where for take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

(Ephesians 6: 12-13)

 

Believers who are attacked because of their attempts to do right should remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

See, when you are trying to do right and meet frustration, you are in a Godly battle!

Don’t throw in the towel!