My New Favorite Bible Story -- Grace

     Yesterday, Promise and I were talking on the phone.  We were both doing artsy activities while we talked, and I decided to write change the scripture on the chalkboard in my room (I keep a kind of "monthly theme" for myself up there.  December was a Christmassy scripture and last month was one about repentance.).
     I wanted a neat scripture for my board, one that resonated with me, and so I began to think back.  One surfaced in my mind.  It was one that my Sunday school teachers had taught me a few months ago, and then my teacher used it in a sermon the next week.  I had always loved the story and thought it was cool, and for some unexplained reason (except that I have a weird brain) I somehow memorized the reference for the passage.  This is taken from 2nd Chronicles 20 if you want to look it up, but I'm going to try and explain it here in modern-people terms.  :)
    So if you like a good story, settle in and buckle your belt.  This one is amazing.

     Back in the days of the Old Testament, there was a kingdom called Judah.  They had several kings -- which tended to swing back and forth from good to evil to good again.  The king at this time was named Jehoshaphat.  He was a righteous king (at least, in this story.  I haven't taken the time to read about his life :D ).  Anyways, one day, the people of Moab and the children of Ammon decided to attack Judah.
     When the people of Judah found out about the impending attack, they became afraid.  They went to King Jehoshaphat for help.  Now, when the King heard that what the Moabites and Ammonites were planning, he became afraid too.  He knew his little kingdom didn't stand a chance against these people.
     So the people of Judah did a beautiful thing...they gathered together and prayed.  Jehoshaphat prayed a beautiful, long prayer, asking for help.  Then, the Lord answered him, right then and there.
     The Spirit of God rested upon a man named Jahaziel, and marvelous things were told to them.  My favorite quote from that passage is this:

      "Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's...set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem..."

     That was the verse I happened to remember yesterday while talking to Promise.  It's 2nd Chronicles 20:25.  :)

     So, after Jahaziel spoke to the people under the influence of the Spirit, they all fell to the earth to worship God.  And then some of them got up and praised God at the top of their lungs.  :D

     The next morning, everyone got up super early to get to the battle scene.  King Jehoshaphat came to them and told them to believe in God.  Then King Jehoshaphat gathered together a....choir.  Yeah, he gathered together a choir.  They went out before the army and sang praises to God even before the battle began.  

    And God won that battle for them.  The enemies...actually attacked each other instead of Judah.  

    And the people of Judah?  They rejoiced and praised God for a really long time.  :)