What comes to your mind when you hear or read the word success?
Is success simply a favorable or desired outcome to you?
Or is it tied more to attaining wealth, favor, or eminence?
I found these definitions of the word success on Merriam-Webster.com.
How might these definitions change when we add the qualifier found in the title above, “A Believer”?
In 2 Chronicles 20:1-19, we learn that King Jehoshaphat learned three people groups were advancing to attack Jerusalem. His immediate response to this threat was to call the tribe of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to fast and pray to the Lord.
The Lord responded through a prophecy by Jahaziel with encouragement and assurance that He would handle the threat.
Yet they were still told to show up for the battle the next day.
We join the narrative at this point.
A Believer’s Response to Success
A Study of 2 Chronicles 20:20-30
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”[1]
What does Jehoshaphat instruct the tribe of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to believe?
Why is this important for their success?
21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures forever.” [2]
Why did Jehoshaphat send singers before the army? (Review 2 Chronicles 20:15-17)
How does this reveal Jehoshaphat believed the Lord’s promise of success?
22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. [3]
What happened when the singing and praise began?
24 When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.[4]
What resulted from the Lord’s battle on behalf of Judah?
How significant was the Lord’s victory?
26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the Lord. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the Lord.[5]
How did Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem respond to the Lord’s victory?
29 And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around. [6]
How did those who heard about this battle respond?
What resulted from this battle for Jehoshaphat?
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah [7]
How does this excerpt from Psalm 62 connect to today’s passage?
3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. [8]
What do these verses from Isaiah reinforce from today’s passage?
A Believer’s Response to Success
A Study of 2 Chronicles 20:20-30
Application
How does trusting in God’s word reveal that you trust in God?
When facing challenges that seem insurmountable, are you able to praise the Lord with worship and singing before a solution comes? Why or why not?
If you are in a season of challenge right now, what helps you from this passage?
If you are in a season of rest right now, what helps you from this passage?
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah [9]
How has today’s study and the above excerpt from Psalm 46 helped you understand that the key to facing your fears is to trust in God?
Make a list of everything you have been successful at in your lifetime.
How have you given God credit for the successes you’ve had in life?
What is the most important point to take from Jehoshaphat’s response to success?
How will you apply this in your own faith journey in the days ahead?
A Believer’s Response to Success
A Study of 2 Chronicles 20:20-30
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Jehoshaphat’s dependence on You as his refuge during a time of what appeared to be insurmountable odds. Help us remember this when we too come up against feelings of fear because of the challenges before us. Enable us to stop and focus on You first, to hear what You want us to do as well as what You will do on our behalf.
Fill our hearts, minds, and mouths with praises of You as we obey Your instructions to us, even before we experience any promised success.
Keep us humble after the success You bring our way so that we acknowledge the true source of every victory in our lives.
May the words of Paul from 2 Timothy be ours as well.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. [10]
Amen.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:20.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:21.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:22–23.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:24–25.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:26–28.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ch 20:29–30.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 62:5–8.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Is 26:3–4.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 46:10–11.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ti 4:7–8.