I heard and my heart pounded,
    my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
    and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
    to come on the nation invading us.

Have you read these words before?  If not, would you be able to guess  from which book and chapter from the Bible they are?  

The first part is a good description of myself when I read the news.  Whether it be international news, local news or even the personal news from my circles, things make me shake and shudder, describing my deep distress at the things happening in our world.

It is from Habakkuk 3, the verse just before the well-known song of Habakkuk about the fig tree and the vines and other calamities we all know and sing.  His list of disasters ends in words of triumph and praise  introduced by the mighty little word, yet, that changes a whole mindset of defeat into victory.

If I could, I would recommend everyone to read all three chapters  of Habakkuk once a month for a “spiritual looking glass” to interpret our portion of unpleasantness coming from the modern political agenda and social upheaval around us.

In short.  Habakkuk asks God why things are so bad in the land.  God’s answer is not good news.  The people are backslidden and full of sin.  God is going to send the Chaldeans, a plundering, murderous invading army.  Habakkuk’s reaction is to seek the face of God.  

In the second chapter he declares his intention to climb onto the watch tower (prayer time) until he knows how to answer the people’s questions.  His answer shall be the Word of the Lord coming to him in the watch tower.  He writes the vision as commanded.

God’s answer in time of great upheaval:  the righteous shall live by faith. [Pebbles 236 and 237)

In the third chapter he breaks through his disdain and confusion into a song of praise.  So often we only read the last verses, which is not wrong at all, but the words that go before are poetic victory and glory in the love and dominion of God.  Spiritually he rises up to an eagle’s view and heavenly perspective to praise God in liberated joy of which only God could be the source.

Great upheaval had been the subject matter of so many prophets in the Old Testament.  The nations were prone to war and lustful for power.  So often Judah and Israel were the victims of the arrogance and power-grabbing of greater empires.  War was part of life and peace was a special blessing.

An overwhelming threat forces Jehoshaphat into fasting and prayer, exactly where we belong when the “foundations are destroyed”.  (Psalms 11:3)

Three nations from the East rally together against Judah. (2 Chronicles 20)

Bad news, an enormous hostile threat – not one nation, but three – come together to fight Jehoshaphat.  What is his response?

He is afraid. (20:3)  Of course!  It is only natural.  His fear brings him to the place where he should be – at the feet of God.  He calls a day of fasting and prays for help.

We do not fast to move God’s hand. His favour and grace are over us as our covering daily.  We fast to focus on his Word so that we hear and see with spiritual insight.  Renewed thinking will transform us.  That is the goal of any difficult circumstances.

The way out is to our advantage and not our pleasure – it is often not the same thing, although it bears the fruit of righteousness.  (Hebrews 12:11)

Read the beautiful prayer of Jehoshaphat for the people of Judah (family) and Jerusalem (household).

The king exalts God as the ruler of heaven against Whom nobody can  stand.  In his words he crowns God as the One from whom the victory can come.  God reigns over the nations.

Then he prays the history of Israel, the testimony of God’s great deeds when His people had gone up to the Temple (prayer in the Presence) and called on his protection and provision.

After these words – uttered so that all the people and even his own ears could hear – he articulates the reality of their situation before God without avoiding the facts of their dire circumstances.  An overpowering hostile force is on its way to annihilate Judah and they know they are disobedient to God.  (Enemy forces were judgment on the sin of disobedience and therefore symbolic of personal sin that should be confessed.)

Hear his humble prayer: For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. (20:13)

The people’s attitude of heartfelt devotion inspired the prophetic word amongst them. A Levite, a descendant of Asaf whom we know from the Psalms, speaks the word of God over the situation.

God says – that is the Word of power in our situation – exactly what we need to hear and all that we need to listen to.

“Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

Great political upheaval, overwhelming personal crisis are all matters for God to invade with his powerful and miraculous love.  Position yourself to see the miracle.

The result of the Word of God spoken through his prophet was spontaneous and triumphant praise and worship.  The expectation of God in action is rooted in the praise even before the battle is fought.

Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. ¹⁹ Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

What is the position that you should take to live the miracle?

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa…

They go out to meet their enemy.  There is action – Holy Spirit equipped people with hearts full of faith, hope and praise, ready for war.  The strategy and the results of the day are at  that stage still a mystery. The king speaks:

“Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”

Jehoshaphat sits in counsel with the people to decide on strategy. The Word of God amongst the people brings wisdom.  They decide on a strategy that could only come from prayer and faith.  It is not traditional warfare for sure.

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his^[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
    for his love endures forever.”

The praise and worship team leads the onslaught.  They praise God’s love and mercy over them as his people.

The enemy fights each other and in a dreadful bloodbath annihilates each other so that none stays standing.  Just imagine the impact of this victory over your own situation as well as on the modern agenda and public issues that upset us so much.  We will gather the loot.

Yes, three full days it took to collect the valuables of the enemy.  The  people of God emerge rich and richer on every level after the battle.

The place of the miracle gets a new name, Valley of Praise, where a praise-and-worship service once again takes place.

On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.

One more result from this jubilant victory, this miracle of great upheaval.

The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.

 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

Let us engage in the battle by prayer and fasting so that the kingdoms of evil will be filled with the fear of God.  Do not let the street voices of rebellious hysteria and words on posters and poles bring fear in your heart.

We fight God’s way.  Our victory is guaranteed.