The Valley of Praise
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: The Valley of Praise
Main Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
The week before, we took time to praise God for all He has done in our lives and in our church. We’ve been deliberately focusing on praising God because it shifts our focus from all the troubles of our world to the goodness of God. We’re not trying to ignore the troubles in our world, we are just learning to be careful that we don’t let them overwhelm our ability to praise God. Today, Pastor Ryan shared a powerful example through the story of King Jehoshaphat of how we can handle overwhelming and scary circumstances. Jehoshaphat was afraid because a massive army was headed to his city.
Credit to God
Before we highlight how Jehoshaphat handles this overwhelming circumstance, let's remember that the true star is God. God is his deliverance. God guided them. God did the fighting and delivered them the victory. Let's remember that without God, Jehoshaphat wouldn't have survived. When we look at Jehoshaphat's response we're not glorifying him over God; we're just learning how another child of God handled battles, troubles and fears.
Immediately, Jehoshaphat responded in a way we all can apply in a number of circumstances:
Look to God.
Jehoshaphat was afraid, but he didn’t focus on the massive army; he immediately looked to God.
Go to God in Prayer.
Jehoshaphat prayed but he also prayed in community. Pray with other believers. There is power in numbers.
What we pray is key. In his prayer, Jehoshaphat remembered and recalled God's power, promises and ability to save.
Admit you need God’s help.
Jehoshaphat humbled himself and expressed his need for God’s help.
This helps us draw our strength from God and not ourselves. This could very well be at the core of why Jehoshaphat was successful.
Trust and follow God's Word.
God provided a Word as the people stood and waited on Him.
Some decisions need a specific Word from God like this story.
Many of our situations can be guided by God's written Word in scripture.
Many times, God divinely speaks through a scripture verse that makes total sense for the trial you're in and you can't deny it was God speaking.
Jehoshaphat and the army still had to trust God and march out into position. We must continue to live our lives, to serve God and trust God to protect and fight for us.
Face battles with praise.
Use praise as a weapon. Instead of fighting with swords they fought with praise and worship to God. As soon as they began to praise, God responded and fought the enemy.
Praise and Worship is a powerful response to an overwhelming issue that you are facing in life. Why? Because in our praise we reinforce our faith and confidence in the mighty God we serve and who has faithfully delivered us time and time again.
Praise is also the position and posture of victory. We are overcomers because of what Christ has accomplished for us on the cross and through the empty tomb. Therefore, praise reminds us we are victors and defeat is not our destiny.
Takeaways:
The flesh will respond with fear, but the spirit teaches us to respond with faith.
We inflate troubles when we give them more space in our minds and more time in our hearts than they deserve. It's okay to acknowledge present troubles but it's not okay to dwell on them until they trouble us to despair.
There is freedom from fear and anxiety when you admit I can't but God can.
When you admit you can't face your battles without God, He steps in and fights the battle that belonged to Him in the first place.
God turns a valley of fear into a valley of praise.
We get to dwell on the goodness of God, while God dwells in the trenches for us.
Discussion:
What part of the story stuck out to you and why?
What was one big takeaway for you from today’s message?
What did you sense the Holy Spirit was saying to you during this message?
How do you currently handle overwhelming circumstances?
In what way do you need to apply this message?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed we encourage you to say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I see my sin and how wrong it is. I see how without Jesus I’m lost. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me from my sin, my past, this world, and your judgment. I repent, I turn away from that life and I put my faith and life in Jesus! Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!