Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!!

Maybe some of you who are younger will have never heard this phrase but when I was growing up it was used frequently to express surprise, unexpected news, shock, etc.

The phrase Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat comes from the Bible. Really? Yes Really.

I wanted to share this insight again this year because many in our world don’t think they have very much to be thankful for; for some there is no “happy” in thanksgiving. So let’s look at someone who really had no reason to be celebrating, no reason for joy and see if it can impact your life the way it did his.

Let’s look at Jehoshaphat.

“Messengers told Jehoshaphat, “A large army from Edom east of the Dead Sea has invaded our country. They have already reached En-Gedi.” 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the Lord what to do. He then told the people of Judah to go without eating to show their sorrow. 4 They immediately left for Jerusalem to ask for the Lord’s help.” II Chronicles 20:2-4 CEV

Our first response to bad news should be to pray and ask the Lord to help. Now look at the answer he received from the Lord. If you read the whole chapter you will find that the Lord told the king to praise Him and He would fight their battle.

“Then he explained his plan and appointed men to march in front of the army and praise the Lord for his holy power by singing:

“Praise the Lord!
His love never ends.”

22 As soon as they began singing, the Lord confused the enemy camp, 23 so that the Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out!” verses 21-23 CEV

So let me ask you again, what’s your battle? Health, finances, relationships? Can’t be any bigger than facing an outnumbering army that was going to overrun you country and kill your citizens and take you captive. God is still the same! Praise Him as you face your battle.

“May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
may his foes flee before him.

2 May you blow them away like smoke—
as wax melts before the fire,
may the wicked perish before God.

3 But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.

4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds[b];
rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.

5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalm 68:1-5 NIV

The reason for being thankful isn’t for what you have but more for whose you are! We all will face unsurmountable problems at one time or another in life, that’s part of living on this planet. However, the reason for joy and thanksgiving comes from knowing that we’re not doing this alone, but we have a loving God who will go before us and fight the battle. When we seek Him, he’s there and he will always provide the help we need.

Now that’s a reason to Jump for Joy!