Do Not Be Afraid or Discouraged  – Greg Laurie Devotion – March 06, 2026

Biblical Context

The book of 2 Chronicles tells the story of the kings of Judah, focusing on their obedience or disobedience to God. It picks up after 1 Chronicles, continuing the history of God’s people from King Solomon’s reign to the Babylonian exile. It was likely put together after the exile, perhaps by Ezra, with a goal of encouraging the returning exiles to stay true to God and learn from their past. The book emphasizes the importance of the temple, the priesthood, and keeping God’s laws, showing how a king’s spiritual choices directly affected the nation’s well-being. Jehoshaphat, who ruled Judah from about 870 to 845 BC, was one of the better kings. He worked hard to bring spiritual revival to the land, getting rid of idol worship and sending out teachers to instruct the people in God’s law. His story here is a powerful example of what happens when a good leader faces overwhelming odds and turns to God.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word ‘discouraged’ from 2 Chronicles 20:15: “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” The Hebrew word used here is חָתַת (chatat). This word means to be broken, to be dismayed, to be terrified, or to be shattered. It doesn’t just mean a little bit down; it describes a feeling of complete loss of hope, a sense of being utterly crushed and without any way forward. When God tells Jehoshaphat not to be ‘discouraged,’ He’s telling him not to let this terrifying situation break his spirit or shatter his hope, because God Himself is stepping in.

The Desperate Dilemma

Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, found himself in a truly desperate spot. Messengers came with chilling news: “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.) This wasn’t just any army; it was a huge force, greatly outnumbering Judah’s troops. To make things even worse, these enemies had teamed up with other nations who wanted to destroy Israel. It was a worst-case scenario, a seemingly hopeless situation. There was no earthly way that Jehoshaphat could challenge this approaching army with the forces he had. He was simply far too outnumbered. The Bible tells us, “Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news.” Can you imagine that feeling? The weight of an entire nation on your shoulders, facing total destruction.

Begging God for Guidance

So, what did Jehoshaphat do when he was hit with this terrifying news? He didn’t just panic. He “begged the Lord for guidance” (2 Chronicles 20:3 nlt). This wasn’t a casual prayer; it was a desperate cry for help. He understood that his own strength and wisdom weren’t enough. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting, and people from all the towns came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help. This shows us that when Jehoshaphat turned to God, he wasn’t just doing it for himself; he was leading his whole nation to do the same. He poured out his heart to God, praying, “O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help” (verse 12 nlt). This prayer is so honest and real. He admits their weakness, their confusion, and their complete reliance on God.

God’s Powerful Promise

And God answered. The Lord told Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (verses 15 nlt). What an amazing promise! He went on to say, “Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (verse 17 nlt). God didn’t tell Jehoshaphat to come up with a clever battle plan or to try to outsmart his enemies. He told him to trust, to stand firm, and to watch God work. This message must have been exactly what Jehoshaphat and his people needed to hear to overcome their fear.

Victory Through Worship

With God’s word fresh in their minds, Jehoshaphat and his army went out to meet their enemies. But they didn’t lead with their strongest warriors or their sharpest weapons. They put their worship team out front! The Bible says that when they began to sing and praise the Lord, something incredible happened. The enemy started fighting among themselves and destroyed each other. Imagine that scene: a choir leading the charge, and God stepping in to deliver an impossible victory. It just proves that God works in ways we can’t always understand, and He often uses our faith and worship as powerful tools.

God Stands Ready to Help

There are more than a few takeaways from this story. One is that God stands ready to help His people survive and ultimately thrive in even the worst circumstances. Maybe you’re facing what seems like an impossible situation right now. You may not be able to see a way out. But God can. Call on Him. Then stand still and see what He will do. He wants to show up for you, just like He did for Jehoshaphat. Don’t let your current struggle make you think God isn’t there or doesn’t care. He does, and He’s more powerful than anything you’re up against.

Always Stay Connected to God

A second takeaway is that Jehoshaphat enjoyed an advantage that we don’t always have. He knew what was coming his way. And even though it appeared to be an absolute worst-case scenario, he knew how to pray. We don’t always know what the future holds. We don’t know if something potentially devastating is heading our way. But God does. And He knows how to prepare us for it. That’s why it’s essential that we stay in constant contact with Him. That we yield ourselves to His will. That we follow His leading. You need to keep talking to Him, listening for His voice, and letting Him guide your steps every single day. Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth” (nlt). Call on Him. When you seek Him with an honest heart, He’s right there, ready to meet you. So, don’t wait for a crisis; make seeking God a daily part of your life.