“When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:19-20)

If you are in the Tuesday Bible Study, then you know we are studying this passage in the Bible. It is part of the instruction that Jesus is giving to his twelve disciples as He is sending them out on their own to preach, teach, and heal. He is telling them that they will face persecution from all sides, including their own families. These are powerful words.

Even though Jesus has not yet officially sent the Holy Spirit as Advocate and Counselor, we know that the Holy Spirit has been at work alongside the Father and the Son since before the beginning of time. In this passage, Jesus is promising that the Spirit will be at work within us even when Jesus is not physically present. What a comfort!!

This passage gives me confidence when I find myself in challenging situations and do not know what to do or to say, and this happens more than you might think. In fact, it is good advice even when we think we know what to do or say. Remembering these instructions should be part of our daily preparation as we face all the challenges that confront us.

This passage calls to mind the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30.  He found himself as King of Judah at a time when three of the surrounding countries had declared war on Judah. There are parallels for us as we prepare for challenges:

1. He resolved to call on the Lord: “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” (v. 3).
2. He acknowledged God for his power and might: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you”(v. 6).
3. He admitted that he was powerless and in need of God: “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12).
4. He showed up for the battle when the Lord told him to: “Tomorrow march down against them” (v. 16).
5. He led his people to praise God before the confrontation: “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever’” (v. 21).

I encourage you to read the remainder of this passage. You will learn that God caused the three countries to slaughter each other. “The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another” (v. 23). And then all the other surrounding countries decided to also leave them alone. “The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (vv. 29-30).

“For the battle is not yours, but God’s…. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” (1 Chronicles 20:15, 17).