Praise God and Prosper
by Kenneth Copeland
Next time you’re facing a problem so big there’s no earthly way you can solve it, and you’re wondering what to do, here’s a recommendation for you: Read in 2 Chronicles 20 about the impossible problem King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah faced. Study how they overcame it, then follow their example.
What they did is a model that, in any situation, guarantees 100% success. It enabled them to triumph over a threat that was far more dire and overwhelming than anything most of us will ever encounter. It not only preserved but prospered them at a time when their entire nation was about to be wiped out.
You probably remember the story. A vast enemy army had amassed on Judah’s border and was about to attack. Their soldiers numbered in the multitudes and Judah’s much smaller army had no hope in the natural of fighting them off.
Jehoshaphat, a godly king and experienced in battle, knew that militarily it was a deadly situation. For his nation to even survive, they had to win a naturally unwinnable battle and defeat an apparently undefeatable foe. So, what did he do?
“Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord” (verse 3).
Did you get that? Right there is your first key to overcoming. When you’re hit with a problem so big it scares you, don’t just put up with the fear. Set yourself to seek God. Turn off the TV and open your Bible. Pray and fellowship with The LORD until you hear from Him.
“But Brother Copeland,” someone might say, “sometimes I don’t know how to pray when I’m feeling overwhelmed by a situation. I’m not sure what to say or where to start.”
Then look back at Jehoshaphat, and start where he did when he prayed about his dilemma. He began by praising God. Standing before the people of Judah who had gathered to pray with him, instead of focusing first on the problem and magnifying it, he magnified The LORD:
• He praised Him for His mighty power and talked about how He rules from heaven over all the kingdoms of the earth and none can withstand Him (verse 6).
• He praised Him for His faithfulness to His people in the past and for how He’d given them the land and driven out their enemies before them (verse 7).
• He praised Him for promising to give them the land forever and for promising that if evil ever came upon them—whether by sword, judgment, pestilence or famine—they could come into His presence, call on Him, and He would hear and help (verses 8-9).
BVOV : 5
