The Sacred Road contains many stories of our creator and our Savior that help us with our walk today.—and many of these are worth repeating like this one, in 2 Chron 20:1-30. 

This is a story of a chief named Jehoshaphat.  He received a report from his people that 3 neighboring tribes were planning to attack.  In fact,  these enemies were already in the land.  He called all his people together and responded to the words of men by asking Creator what He had to say about it. 

“O dear God, won't you take care of them? We're helpless before this vandal horde ready to attack us. We don't know what to do; we're looking to you."  (2 Chron 20:12)

The people worshipped Creator publicly.  They reminded each other of all that Creator taught them and all that He did for them.  And they reminded Creator that they had obeyed all of His teachings. Then they listened.

Everyone in Judah was there — little children, wives, sons — all present and attentive to GOD. (2 Chron 20:13)

 And this is the answer Creator gave:

1. Don’t be afraid

2. This is my war, not yours

3. Stand firm and see God’s saving work for you take shape

4. I will be with you

Then Jehoshaphat knelt down, bowing with his face to the ground. All Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping GOD. (2 Chron 20:18)

The next day before heading out Jehoshaphat encouraged his people in this:

They were up early in the morning, ready to march into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, "Listen Judah and Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say! Believe firmly in GOD, your God, and your lives will be firm! Believe in your prophets and you'll come out on top!" (2 Chron 20:20)

All the people marched down to the place where the enemy was.  They marched with the worshippers on the front lines, praising God all the way.  And when they arrived, the battle was already over.  Creator had defeated all the enemy and there was nothing for the people to do except to gather up the ‘goods’, praise God some more, and go home in victory.

By placing his trust more in what God could do than what he or his people could do, Jehoshaphat’s future was secured.

29 When the surrounding kingdoms got word that GOD had fought Israel's enemies, the fear of God descended on them. 30 Jehoshaphat heard no more from them; as long as Jehoshaphat reigned, peace reigned.  (2 Chron 20:29-30)

 I wonder what the neighboring countries must have thought when they first saw all these people coming to a battle field with their worshippers out front  instead of their weapons.  Singing love songs to God instead of battle cries.  In the end, it doesn’t matter what our neighbors think about us, about what we do, or how we do it.  It only matters whether we obeyed Creator, whether we loved Creator, and whether we did things His way. 

His plan of salvation for us is through His son, Jesus.  To some of our neighbors, this doesn’t make any more sense than going into battle with a drum and a song.  But it is the way of the Creator.  It is the answer to our prayers.  We receive it and live.  In the end, it is only what the Creator does that matters.  The more we allow the Creator to do, and the less we do ourselves, the more victories we will see.  He fought the battle of salvation and there is nothing left for us to do except to gather up the ‘goods’, praise Him some more, and go home in victory.

All Scripture references are from The MESSAGE Bible.