INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 83, 2 Chronicles 20, Judges 4-8
This is the last of Asaph's psalms. When I first read it, I thought to myself, "Oh no, not another complaint about war." But the more I read it, along with the victory accounts of King Jehoshahpat and the Judges: Gideon, Barak and Deborah, I realised this Psalm was more an expression of God's glory and greatness. Again, I was reminded of the victory stories in my own life.
In 2 Chronicles 20, the prophet Jahaziel was a Levite, a descendent of Asaph. He, along with King Jehoshaphat prayed in a similar way to Asaph, "asking them to help in a time of enemy attack." They were all confident in their faith that God would "act on behalf of Jerusalem".
Asaph listed 10 nations in this Psalm that had formed an "alliance against Israel". He also emphasized that the enemies were not only against the Israelites, but God Himself. It seems the children of Lot (Moab and Ammon) led this attack.
"Ten against one is long odds, but then God was on the side of Israel." Charles Spurgeon.
Israel had a "long season of humiliation, fruitless labour, poverty and dominion of oppressive power", before they finally cried out to the Lord in repentance. Prayer was their last resort. When they finally sought the Lord and turned back to Him, THEY FOUND VICTORY!
Gideon was another leader of God's people, a judge with "divine empowering", but there were times when his faith was weak, times when he was asking for signs from the Lord, rather than simply trusting. Still the Lord was mercifiul and gracious with him and He still followed Him into battle. When Gideon finally "relied on God's strength" rather than his own, VICTORY WAS CERTAIN!
Barak, another military leader found faith in battle with the encouragement of another godly judge, Deborah. Together their courage, with no weapons to fight with but their faith in God, they were LED INTO VICTORY.
Asaph liked to quote before the Lord these instances of VICTORY in Israel's history - STORIES OF DELIVERANCE, showing his own faith and the faith of His people. If we have faith in God's promises, we too can have VICTORY!
King Jehosophat went out with his army and he gave the order for the singers and worshippers to lead them into battle; trusting and resting on the "enduring mercy of God."
"After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendour of His holiness as they went out at the head of His army, saying, "Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever." 2 Chronicles 20:21
PRAYER IN NATIONAL CRISIS - Read Psalm 83:1-4; 2 Chronicles 20
Asaph was praying this prayer when his nation was in crisis. Maybe this isn't the same as the crisis our nation is in today; but it is still an "enemy" that was about to destroy his people. He prayed, fervently and faithfully, to a God he believed would bring them VICTORY. Asaph knew all through Israel's history there had been great leaders - bold and brave; yet it was only because of their faith in God that they were able to overcome their nation's suffering.
1) Asaph and Jehoshaphat prayed with a knowledge and understanding of God's Word. Our prayers also need to be based on His Word.
"We will give our attention to prayer and to the ministry of the Word." Acts 6:4
2) Jehoshaphat prayed in the Temple with God's people, because he knew that this was where Solomon had prayed. Asaph would have done this too, as this was his place of leadership. We also should pray in the Church, with God's people.
"For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them." Matthew 18:20
"When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from Heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glory of God filled the temple." 2 Chronicles 7:1
3) Asaph and Jehoshaphat prayed, recognizing the great works God had already done for His people. Ww too need to pray with thanksgiving for all God has done for us.
"If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgement, or plague of famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears Your Name and we will cry out in distress, and you will hear us and save us." 2 Chronicles 20:9
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6&7
After Jehoshaphat prayed, the people of Israel waited for him to give them some sense of direction. Jahaziel, a prophet and a descendent of Asaph, was touched by the Lord with a message.
"Listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you. "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them........You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you." 2 Corinthians 20:15-17
God didn't want the Israelites to stay put, they needed to face the battle, believing that God was on their side. This is the way we must face all our battles and the "national crisis" we face.
"For them it was a significant step to STAND STILL AND TO BELIEVE, that they would see the SALVATION OF THE LORD, in the face of a large attacking army." David Guzak
Both Jehoshaphat and the Israelites knew that Jahaziel's words were a prophetic message from the Lord. They immediately worshipped God, like their ancestors Asaph, David and Solomon had. This too should be our response to God's promises in His Word. They had not been delivered from their enemies yet and their troubles were far from over, yet "they rose with worship and devotion, with trustful and grateful hearts." (Charles Spurgeon)
ISRAEL'S ENEMIES - Read Psalm 83:5-8
Israel had lots of enemies. They were proud, arrogant and crafty, plotting together, from family feuds or grudges of old. But most of all, they were GOD'S ENEMIES!
"Yes, this was a unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you - these Edomites and Ishmaelites; Moabites and Hagrites; Gebalites, Ammonites and Amelekmites; and people from Philistia and Tyre. Assyria had joined them too, and has allied with the descendents of Lot."
Psalm 83:5-8
Lot would never have dreamed that his descendents would still be fighting. Hagar had a second husband and they all dwelt around Mt Sinai. Gebal, in the red, was in the region of Tyre and Sidon. Ammon in the yellow, and Amalek were two other heriditary foes of Israel. Finally Philistia and Assyria, the light and dark green, oppposite ends of Israel and Judah both joined them, anxious for growth and known for their evil.
They were 10 to 1 against, yet Israel overcame all her enemies. Most of her adversaries were only a name, for with their power and excellence gone, God and His people could live on.
"The fear of God was on all the neighbouring kingdoms when they heard God fought against the enemies of Israel." 2 Chronicles 20:30
OTHER GREAT VICTORIES - Read Psalm 83:9-12, Read Judges 4-8
Asaph loves to quote great stories of faith and victory, especially those told in battle. We read earlier of King Jehoshaphat's victory, and now we read of Gideon's, Barak and Deborah's, who overthrew Midian and Siseria. But of course we will be reminded, that the battle is not of men, but of God.
Gideon began his ministry as a judge by following God's guidance and destroyed the altars of Baal, beginning with those in his own home. Why? Because it is important that "our own homes are in clean first", before we can go into battle. Because of his "divine empowering" and witness, Gideon was able to gather together an army of 32,000 men, who would follow him into battle.
But God didn't want a big army, He want Gideon to give God the glory; so He reduced his troops to 10,000, and then finally he was left with 300 men. Gideon could do only one thing - TRUST IN HIS GOD. God dealt with Gideon's doubts and fears, and he learnt that his enemies were actually scared of His God. He shared this with his army and encouraged them, BUILDING THEIR FAITH too.
"Some trust in chariots and horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7
"Not by might nor power, but by my Spirit", says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6
Barak was another military leader who had faith in battle and faith in God. With the encouragement of the God-fearing judge Deborah, together they were able to show great courage when they faced their enemies.
"They essentially had no weapons to fight with and God led them out to to fight on a plain against technologically advantaged forces with chariots." David Guzik, 2018
Barak had great trust and Deborah the encourager built up his faith even more, letting him know that "God as their King" would go out before them in battle, and their VICTORY was secure.
"O Lord, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured; the clouds poured down the water. The mountains quaked before the Lord, the one of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel." Judges 5:4&5
"The River Kishon swept them away, the age old river, the River Kishon." Judges 5:21
How easily can God smite his enemies? He can use his servants, but He also uses natural disasters - in this case a flood from a simple brook. Israel's enemies were swept away by suddenly swollen waters and utterly perished.
THE MOST HIGH GOD - Read Psalm 83: 13-18
There is nothing more powerful than a tempest or a storm. Asaph prayed that God would not only defeat Israel's enemies but also pursue and frighten them with His great power.
"Let them know that You whose Name is the Lord - that You alone are the Most High over all the earth." Psalm 83:18
Finally, Asaph ends this Psalm with an unexpected turn, asking the Lord to humble His enemies as they SEEK HIS FACE so that HE CAN SAVE THEM. This is primarly what God wants for all men and women today.
"The fear of God came upon all the Kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the Kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side." 2 Chronicles 20:29&30
CONCLUSION
"Holy Bible, New International Version", 2011, Biblica
Guzik, David, 2018, "2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat's Victory"; "Judges 4 - Deborah & Barak";
www.enduringword.com
Guzik, David, 2020, "Psalm 83 - A Prayer for Help When War Threatens", www.enduring word.com
Spurgeon, Charles, 1885, "The Treasury of David - Bible Commentary (2000), biblestudytools.com
