(Editor’s Note: The following is the fourth part of the second message series preached by Brother Easton on Prayer. The first message was titled, How to Pray to Change Lives).

It is a fact that even believers have problems and challenges in their lives. Sometimes these seem to be perplexing and overwhelming.

Let me ask you: How do you, as a believer, go about solving those problems and facing those challenges in your life which sometimes seem impossible? This is what we will be dealing with.

In II Chronicles 20:1-30, I believe we can find some truths that will helps us to handle our problems. In fact, we will discover some truths that will help us to solve our problems through prayer. These will be truths you will want to remember because sooner or later there will be a time when you will need the super-natural  power of God to help you solve a problem.

(II Chronicles 20:1-3) “It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. (2) Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. (3) And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”

In verse 14, we find that as they stood in the assembly, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, and he prophesied what God wanted Jehoshaphat to hear.

Verse 17 gives us part of that prophesy: “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)

In verse 20, they met the enemy, “…Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20)

And now read verses 29-30, “And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. (30) So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.” (2 Chronicles 20:29-30)

Jehoshaphat was King of Judah, the Southern Kingdom, for about 25 years, and he was a good king. He was a righteous man who tried to bring about a revival of faith in God in the nation. He had an army of about a million men. On this particular occasion, he heard about the armies of the Moabites and the Ammonites coming together to do battle with Judah to drive them out of their land. When he heard this, his first inclination was to be afraid. But notice what he did when he was afraid:

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” (2 Chronicles 20:3)

I am sure there are some reading this who are facing a crisis in their lives right now. I know without a shadow of a doubt that there are some who will face a challenge in the near future. When these challenges come our way, if we do not pray right, or act right, then our prayers and actions will be in vain. Maybe God let you read this to discover why and how a person can pray about their problems and never get a solution.

If you will study this passage of Scripture with me, and abide by what you learn, I believe you can discover how you can pray and receive a solution to your dilemma. It begins with a question: Am I willing to abide by God’s solution, whatever that solution may be?

So I want us to look at some truths for problem-solving that can be found in this passage of Scripture:

In the previous three devotions, the first five topics were presented as follows: 

A. When You Pray to God About Your Problems, You Need to Understand That He Cares About Your Problems

B. You Need to Pray With The Understanding that God Than Any Problem You Might Have or Face

C. You Need To Pray With The Understanding That Praying To God About Your Problem Is Your First Response, Not Your Last.

D. When Problems Come Your Way, Solicit Others to Pray With You:

E. When Praying, Trust God To Give You A Solution To Your Problems:

In this devotion, Part Four, the sixth and seventh topis are presented:

F. God’s Solution Usually Requires an Act of Faith:

Look at verse 20, “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2 Chronicles 20:20).

Let’s be honest. Most of us want God to solve the problem without requiring anything of us. God’s solution often-times requires an act of faith on our part, because God’s solution is usually beyond human reasoning.

If we are going to express faith, it implies a risk on our part. Listen: No risk, no growth. God wants us living by faith. He wants us trusting Him.

God says, “I want you to get your choir together.”

“Don’t You mean the army?”

“No, I want you to get your choir together.”

“But this is a war!”

“I want you to get your choir together; and I want you to put the choir out front: and when we get to the battle, we are going to sing and praise.”

“Lord, that isn’t the way You defeat the Moabites. Lord, You don’t defeat trained warriors by singing to them.”

Listen: this is how it is. When God tells you to do something, you either do it, or you don’t get God’s solution.

Now suppose Jehoshaphat said, “Lord, we don’t mind having a choir. They can stand on the mount and sing while we fight.” That is not what God said.

When they got to the battle, the Moabites began to fight the Ammonites. When the Israelites got to the battle, all they had to do was pick up the bounty and loot. The fight was over.

Could it be that God has already given you a solution to your problem and you don’t like Step One? Have you have wanted to short-cut God’s solution?  If God gives you a solution, are you willing to follow it? Are you willing to be obedient to God – no matter what He requires?

There is no problem God is unwilling to solve if you will be obedient to Him.

Yes, sometimes it will require risks. Other times it will not make sense. It may demand discipline on your part.

Are you willing to give God His way in your life? Or are you so self-centered that you are willing to risk it all? That is what it boils down to.

G. When God Solves Your Problem, He Will Give You Peace and Rest Concerning The Problem:

Now go to 2 Chronicles 20:29-30, “And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.  (30)  So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.”

When God solves your  problem, it’s solved!!!!

There is no need for you to continue to struggle with it any longer. He will give you peace concerning your problem. I want you to notice that God did not remove the problem, God conquered the problem, God defeated the problem.

That is the way it is with salvation. You don’t save yourself, God saves you as you trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. When you get saved, God doesn’t remove the the sinful nature that you have, He conquers it. He forgives and cleanses you of your sin. All you do is sing praises to Him for the wonderful work He has done on your behalf.

God will handle your problem if you let Him. Don’t you think it is time to let go and let God deal with it? Let God give you peace and rest from your problems. You just sing and praise God, for He is Worthy.