After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea”….Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:1-4
Happy Father’s Day to a special group of men! I want to speak specifically to our men today. The rest of you are welcome to read on, but on this special day, this is for the men. I know that statistics show you are in the minority. You are special! You are doing something huge for your family.
I love to listen to people in the military speak about preparing for battle. They talk about fighting and winning wars of the past and of the present. There is a strategy. There is a warning to the enemy to surrender for peace. There is a resolve going into the battle that victory will be won in a period of time.
The main reason Jehoshaphat and his people fasted was to seek guidance from the Lord by clearing out their senses and focusing on and listening to Him. Fasting is a means toward spiritual focus by concentrating on God rather than on your problems. Fasting honours God and is asking Him for His divine intervention. He knows everything about your circumstances and all the solutions. Seek God's face for His plan, His guidance, His protection, His safety and His provisions. Throughout the Bible you will find people like Moses, the Israelites, David, Ahab, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Zechariah, Jesus, Cornelius, Paul and Barnabas fasting for many different reasons, seeking the Lord for His will and way for their problems.
Will you spend time in prayer and fast for your wife and children to have a divine encounter with the Lord? Will you ask the Lord if you should start to fast for your marriage and all marriages around the world? Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20) strenthen and encourage you.
Men, I pray that you don’t get discouraged fighthing for your family. I know that with the Lord’s power, you can continue on in the fight for your family.
Happy Father's Day!
