LEADERSHIP

Leadership Essay - Jehoshaphat
J. Shepherd http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=849dc7c803281df74bb2
11-08-09
Jehoshaphat is a man I recreantly was brought to discover as a simple man who showed good leadership by his simple trust in God’s word, promises, and faithfulness. God is looking for men who believe Him. And that’s the simple truth I want to get to here in this Essay. The simple powerful truth of Jehoshaphat’s faith is life changing. Coming back to ALERT to finish my training I asked God to take me to the next level of leadership. God has made it very clear how God can show his mighty power through a leader who is not necessarily talented or has natural leadership ability. God is just looking for a man who is totally surrendered/committed towards him 100%.
(2 chronicles 20:1-32) The story starts out 2 chronicles 20:1 Jehoshaphat the king gets word that a huge army is going to attack him. (vs.2) He is immediately afraid and falls down to his knees to seek the Lord. He commands prayer and fasting to all the people under his domain. (vs.3) Jehoshaphat must have had the heart of his people; everyone fallowed his example and got on their knees and asked God for help and they did all seek God. (vs.4) Jehoshaphat then stood up and looked skyward. Jahoshaphat then proclaims Gods Glory and power. He humbled himself before the Lord and acknowledged Gods Faithfulness to them as a people. He started naming off all the times that God did deliver them in past times. (vs.5-8) He reminds God of His promise that if his people cry out to him then He would hear and would help. (vs.9) Jehoshaphat asked God if He would deliver them. He acknowledges that him and his men have no might against this great force coming against them. He admits "we don’t know what to do"… then says "but our eyes are upon thee" (vs.12) There only hope is in the Lord.
They all stood before the Lord with their little ones, their wives, and their children.(vs.13) The Holy Spirit comes and dwells among them. (vs.14) Then the Lord responds "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." (vs.15) God instructs Jehoshaphat "tomorrow go down against them. The enemy is on their way by the mountain you will find them at the end of the river before the wilderness. (vs.16) God says to Jehoshaphat and to all the people "you will not need to fight in this battle, take this spot on the ground and stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord. The LORD is with you. Fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you." (vs.17)
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all his people fallowed and fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD (vs.18) Can you believe this? They are praising God for the victory a whole day before the battle. They have faith in God. That’s the kind of faith I want to have. After that they started praising God even more. Then they stood up and shouted praises to God with a loud voice. (vs.19) So then they went back to their houses and went to bed. Probably slept like babies. Then they got up early the next day and meet together and prepared to go to battle. On their way over Jehoshaphat called a meeting and said "hear me o people and believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be strengthened. Believe God's word don’t second-guess God’s promises and you will prosper." (vs.20) Then Jehoshaphat appointed singers to sing unto the LORD. They went out in front of the army that they should praise the beauty of holiness and to proclaim praise to the LORD; "for His mercy endures forever!" (vs.21) The precise second that they began to sing and to praise the King of Glory. The LORD gave His victory. He set ambushes and confusion in the army of the enemy and they killed each other. (vs.22-23) And when Jehoshaphat and his people came upon the battleground the looked across the field and behold there were dead bodies everywhere, not one escaped. (vs.24) And then Jehoshaphat and his people started gathering up all the spoil that they found among the dead army that God just delivered into their hands. The Hebrew word used to describe the things they gathered up is kel-ee' which according to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionary means: Weapons, armor artillery, bags, furniture, instruments, jewels, pots, sacks, stuff, things, tools, vessels, clothing, riches and precious jewels. More than they could carry away. There was so much it took them 3 days!!! To gather up all the spoil that was there (vs. 25)
On the fourth day Jehoshaphat called another meeting and they blessed the LORD and praised God for the victory and for all the spoil God gave. (vs.26) So they returned back to their city, Jehoshaphat in front with incredible JOY, for the LORD had made them triumph over their enemies. (vs.27) They came back to their city in the streets to the house of God with instruments, harps, and trumpets playing priase unto the Lord. (vs.28) And all those that heard about it (the other nations) feared Jehoshaphat’s LORD and God. (vs.29) Did you catch that? God got all the glory. That should be our only goal in life. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about. (vs.30) Jehoshaphat was in his mid thirties when this happened. (vs.31) Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father. (He had a good heritage) And departed not from it. Doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD. I want to walk in Gods sight and do what right.
The main points I want to draw out form this story is the fact that Jehoshaphat believed God, as soon as he heard that they were coming to attack him. He was fearful, but immediately turned to God and declared fasting and prayer. He heard from God then thanked and praised God for the victory way before the battle even began. God gave victory and lots of spoil. Jehoshaphat barely lifted a finger he didn’t do much except obey. It’s our Job to believe God and praise Him, and give Him the glory. God gives the strength and victory, and then we go gather up the spoil. Praise God. Now that’s good news! What a mighty God we Serve. Thank you God for life.
I believe a good leader is one who recognizes that he just don’t have it all together. But simply believes God (and acts upon his word) and that Gods strength is made perfect in weakness. (2Co 12:9) I believe Jehoshaphat is a good example of this.
I want to close with a quote form Leroy Elms "When God finds a person who will place as his or her first priority in life of intimate, personal, dynamic fellowship with him, He directs his power, guidance, and wisdom into and thought into that person. God has found a person through which he can change the world."