IF GOD IS FOR YOU IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO OR WHAT IS AGAINST YOU!!

 PROOF OF DEPENDING UPON FIRST LOVE (GOD) IS IN YOUR VICTORIES!

“…PROVE to be MY disciples… [or that you are in a dependent relationship with God through Christ]…” (John 15:8 NIV).

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If  you are TRULY depending upon God, the PROOF is in the victories in your life. Every spiritual battle you may have to fight is fought for YOU by your Father in heaven WHEN you trust and depend upon him; FIRST LOVE (God).

“…After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “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.). Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance.” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).  Jehoshaphat called on the “VICTOR” for help. He didn’t call on his own human army.

“... He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. …We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ …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.” …” (2 Chronicles 20: 1-30 NLT).

Jehoshaphat had his own human army and they had been USED to win him many victories, but he NEVER lost sight of FIRST LOVE (God), the TRUE victory behind his victories.

“…As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph…” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). God sent Jehoshaphat a “WORD” through Jahaziel, to SUPPLY him with a divine message of encouragement.

“…He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, …Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). Jahaziel was a mouthpiece through which God, the REAL "VICTOR" sent a message of comfort and promised victory.

“…The …HOLY SPIRIT …is the SOURCE of … [EVERYTHING]. …It is …God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“…Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

Jehoshaphat was empowered to do what God told him to do through the REAL victor's WORDS.  He was enabled to put confidence in FIRST LOVE (God), the VICTOR of VICTORIES and expect his help. He was joyful and went out to war, with his army, singing and praising  FIRST LOVE (God) for his VICTORY. What happened?

“…At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused (Who caused it?) the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them.

After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.

….On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. …the Lord had given them victory over their enemies.

They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets …When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side…” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…He helps me, and my heart is filled with JOY…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT)

King Jehoshaphat had his own army, which  God normally  used to bring him victory, but God, did not USE them this time to defeat the vast army coming against his kingdom.

Fortunately Jehoshaphat dependence wasn't upon his human army  and he KNEW God was the REAL victor behind ALL his victories. Therefore, he called on his help. “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). Jehoshaphat followed these instructions: “….Don't put your confidence in … people; there is no help for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

Jehoshaphat didn’t get upset or disappointed because his personal human army was not capable of winning this particular war nor could they met his need to defeat the vast armies. He depended upon the REAL victor for VICTORY! "….After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor….” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“…At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused (Who caused it?) the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them…” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “… This is what the Lord [said]… Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need to fight. Take your positions (depend upon God); then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you …” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “…the Father … he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

God has promised to supply all your need through Christ Jesus. YOU LACK NOTHING. “…God will supply all [your need for victory]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…God will generously PROVIDE all you need (for victory). Then you will always have everything you need (for victory) …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

We can see the PROOF that King Jehoshaphat was in a dependent relationship with God by his victory! “… Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

God is gloried by the way Jehoshaphat depended upon him to supply his need for VICTORY. "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, PEACE, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH (dependence), Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

“….After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, SINGING (a sign of JOY) to the Lord and PRAISING (a sign of JOY) him for his holy splendor….” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “…He helps me (a declaration of dependence), and my heart is filled with JOY…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT)

“… So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at PEACE, for his God had given him rest on every side…” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit is … PEACE…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "…Ye shall know them by their fruit…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).

Jehoshaphat and his army, by “….singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor…” demonstrated how they were empowered, by the Holy Spirit, to have faith or depend upon GOD (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

Depending upon FIRST LOVE (God) is about learning the difference between depending upon humans or self and depending upon God. God is your ONLY true VICTORY in the many battles of life: “…Only believe (or depend upon Him)…” God, “…WILL supply ALL your NEED…” (John 12:32 & Philippians 4:19 KJV).

Depending upon FIRST LOVE (God) produces VICTORY and assures you of his unchanging LOVE for you. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). THE PROOF OF DEPENDING UPON GOD IS IN YOUR VICTORIES; BIG OR SMALL!