GIVE THANKS— ANYWAY! 148 Life is hard. Give thanks. By the fall of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln had faced enormous challenges and loss. > A war had divided the country. > In July alone, the battle at Gettysburg resulted in over 51,000 casualties, including over 7,000 deaths. > Riots were raging in New York City over emancipation and draft laws. > His son, Willie, had died the year before. With immense challenges facing him, the President did what might seem unusual today: he called for a day of thanksgiving. Despite everything that was happening, Lincoln wanted to praise and thank his Creator for a year “filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies … gracious gifts of the Most High God.”10 Even though the war raged on, Lincoln repeated this the following year with a second proclamation for a day of thanksgiving. Abraham Lincoln was not the first commander-in-chief to call for thanksgiving in the thick of war. Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, did the same thing. The biblical account of what the people faced—and how they faced it—contains great truth for us today. BARRY CAMPBELL Barry Campbell is lead pastor at Highland Baptist Church in Redmond, Oregon. His wife, Marci, is a special education consultant who helps churches strengthens ministries to people with special needs. Together they have enjoyed many years of ministry, but are finding the greatest joy in serving alongside the people of Highland Baptist. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 149 150 SPECIAL FOCUS GIVE THANKS— ANYWAY! The Point We can give thanks in every situation. The Passage 2 Chronicles 20:10-12,14-17,20-22,29-30 The Bible Meets Life Some days it’s tough to read or watch the news. > Terrorist bomb kills 20 and injures dozens in market square. > Corporation lays off thousands of workers, announcing all production will go offshore. > Multi-car crash shuts down interstate for six hours. Because of these realities, it can be difficult to connect with the apostle Paul’s command for us to “Give thanks in everything” (1 Thess. 5:18). Give thanks in everything? Is that even possible when so many things go wrong, both around the world and in our own lives? Thankfully, the answer is yes— and the Scriptures show us how. During the reign of King Jehoshaphat in Judah, God’s people once again faced difficult times. Yet they found a way to remain thankful. And so can we. The Setting The events described in 2 Chronicles 20 took place following the division of the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom (see 2 Chron. 10). The Northern Kingdom was known as Israel and the Southern Kingdom was called Judah. The capital of the Southern Kingdom was Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat was the fourth king to reign over Judah. The events found in this story concern Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 151 What does the Bible say? 2 Chronicles 20:10-12,14-17,20-22,29-30 Vast number (v. 12)— 10 Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount The Hebrew term appears Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of 11 four times in chapter Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. Look 20 (vv. 2,12,15,24) and how they repay us by coming to drive us out of Your possession that You 12 expresses the fact Judah gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do was overwhelmingly not know what to do, but we look to You. outnumbered by a coalition of invading forces coming to 14 In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel attack them, provoking an (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite imminent crisis. from Asaph’s descendants), 15 and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.’” 20 In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the LORD and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His faithful love endures forever.” 22 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated. 29 The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Yahweh had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him rest on every side. 152 SPECIAL FOCUS THE POINT We can give thanks in every situation. GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 121 of Notes the PSG: “What’s your favorite way to express thanks?” ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Prior to Question #1, give each group member a blank note card and access to a range of writing utensils (crayons, colored pencils, markers, and so on). Challenge them to create the corniest “thank you” card they can imagine. This can include illustrations, poems, statements, and so on. Note: Asking group members to think of corny ways to say “thank you” will help them approach the topic of thanksgiving from a new direction. After this activity, use Question #1 to help group members switch gears and discuss their favorite ways to express thanks with sincerity. GUIDE: Direct group members to “The Bible Meets Life” on page 122 of the PSG. Continue with the theme of giving thanks by reading or summarizing the text—or by encouraging group members to read on their own. GUIDE: Call attention to “The Point” on page 122 of the PSG: “We can give thanks in every situation.” LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item 10, “We Look to You,” to help group members connect with this session’s Scripture focus. TIP: When helpful, use this “Notes” column to record PRAY: Transition into the discussion by thanking God for the blessings you and your additional discussion group members have experienced in recent months. Be as specific as possible. questions, concepts, and activities that connect the study content with your specific group. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 153 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE 2 Chronicles 20:10-12 N otes 10 Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of Your possession that You gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You. READ: 2 Chronicles 20:10-12 on page 123 of the PSG. Read the text out loud or ask a volunteer to do so. GUIDE: Use the first and second paragraphs on page 155 of this Leader Guide to set the context for Jehoshaphat’s story, and for his prayer. DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 123 of the PSG: “What are some situations that make you feel powerless?” ALTERNATE GUIDE: As a follow-up to your group’s discussion of Question #2, ask a volunteer QUESTION: to read aloud the second paragraph on page 124 of the PSG. What do you tend to do DO: Direct group members to complete the activity “Out of Control” on page 125 when you face of the PSG. If time permits, encourage volunteers to share their responses. a situation you cannot fix? Jehoshaphat felt “powerless” in the presence of his enemies. In what types of settings or situations do you often feel a loss of control? Circle all that apply. Finances Relationships Illness Travel Conflict Politics Church Retirement Personal health Fashion Parenting Education Choose one of the categories you marked above. What do you have to be thankful for in this area? TRANSITION: Let’s continue with this story by jumping to verses 14-17, where we’ll find a solution to the problem God’s people were facing. As we’ll see, this was a solution that required a great deal of faith. 154 SPECIAL FOCUS THE POINT We can give thanks in every situation. 2 Chronicles 20:10-12 Commentary According to 2 Chronicles 17:6, Jehoshaphat was a good king whose mind rejoiced in the Lord’s ways.