DO YOU remember the stirring words of King Jehoshaphat to Judah when the struggling little nation was threatened by the military might of the Moabites and the Ammonites: "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed" (2 Chron. 20:20, R.S.V.)?
The King James Version uses the word prosper for succeed, but the word succeed is significant. The servants of God "succeed" when they heed the voice of the prophets. This has always been true. It is still true today.
As we review the circumstances of the king's inspiring statement, we see "a great multitude" coming against Judah and Jerusalem "from Edom" and "from beyond the sea." "Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord" (verses 3, 4, R.S.V.).
Then Jehoshaphat stood in the midst of the great assembly in the house of the Lord and openly prayed to the God of heaven for His intervention and deliverance. And the men of Judah with their wives and children stood waiting upon the Lord for the manifestation of His power.
It was at this time that an inspired mes sage of counsel and courage came from a Levite named Jahaziel. Upon him the spirit of prophecy came with power. In the hearing of the congregation he said, " Tear not, and be not dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. . . . You will not need to fight in this battle; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not, and be not dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you' " (verses 15-17, R.S.V.).
The faithful king believed God and the testimony of Christ which had come through Jahaziel. He appointed the Levites to go forth as a choir against the enemy, singing praise to God in advance of the army. So the brave little choir of Hebrews ventured forth by faith and sang out their fervent thanks to God for His steadfast and ever-enduring love and care.
What happened? What events followed? "The Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed" (verse 22, R.S.V.). And the armies turned upon one another and "they all helped to destroy one another" (verse 23, R.S.V.).
My dear fellow believers, the Lord instructs the Seventh-day Adventist Church today with equal clarity. Through the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy writings, God speaks.
Wrote Ellen White:
In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue. Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 661.
To our workers and to our believers around the world I would repeat the words of the ancient king, "Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed." This faith we must have as we face the final struggles of the great controversy be tween Christ and Satan.
In the Seventh-day Adventist Church to day the vast majority of our workers and laity believe fully in the inspiration and mission of Ellen G. White. They accept wholeheartedly the inspired counsels, and day by day seek God for strength to practice the Biblical principles that she teaches. Such faith and works God will reward with "success."
