Fear of the Lord is a shield

Principle: God can build an invisible spiritual hedge of protection around a nation that He favors.  In contrast a strong military is not enough to protect a nation that loses God’s favor.

10 And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 17:10).

Both Israel and Judah were surrounded by nations that desired to destroy them and seize their possessions and land.

When the good King Asa died, his godly son Jehoshaphat ascended to the throne of David in Judah.  Jehoshaphat took delight in the Lord and continued religious reform in Judah by removing the altars in the high places of Judah.  He also made it a priority to send teachers of the Word of God throughout Judah.

Notice the connection that destroying idols and teaching the Word of God has to “The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah.”

3 Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. 5 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6 And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. ….9 So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.

10 And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat……12 So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. 13 He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.

To have a strong military but to depart from the Word of God leaves our nation more vulnerable to many enemies.  We must ask ourselves if there is a departure from the teachings of the Word of God across our land.  There was a day in which the Word of God had a more prominent role in our churches, schools, universities, and military.  There was a time when our military chaplains had more liberty to preach the Word of God and point our soldiers to the Lord Jesus without the fear of being politically incorrect.  We can have powerful military weapons but they cannot create

“the fear of the Lord,” that will keep our enemies from attacking our nation.

There is a correlation between teaching Scripture and a nation’s righteousness and individuals having a foundation for their personal conscience and integrity.  We do not have to wonder why there is a great moral decline in our nation when we understand that morality has to have the Word of God as its foundation.

As we pray for America today may we pray for a revival of the teachings of Scripture.  May we remember the words of the Psalmist:

16   No king is saved by the multitude of an army;

A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

17   A horse is a vain hope for safety;

Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

18   Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,

On those who hope in His mercy,

19   To deliver their soul from death,

And to keep them alive in famine (Psalms 33:16-19).

Prayer:  Dear Lord, forgive us that our nation’s respect and honor of the Bible has greatly declined as well as our righteousness.  With this decline has come a decline in the nations’ respect and fear of America.  Our enemies are emboldened to attack us.   We acknowledge that our military cannot save us from nuclear war or from the advanced military systems that are now in the hands of our enemies.  Hear the prayers of faithful Christians who acknowledge that our protection is in you.  Lord we fear you and hope in your mercy even if our national leaders do not.  As you promised, may your eye be upon us. In Jesus’ name.