10 May Raise A Hallelujah!

“’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…’ ¹⁴Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel… a Levite and descendant of Asaph… ¹⁵ He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶Tomorrow, march down against them…’ ²¹Jehoshaphat 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” (2 Chronicles 20:12-21).

King Jehoshaphat was in serious trouble. A vast army from the south was marching against Jerusalem; they were only 50 miles away when Jehoshaphat heard the news. He immediately called all Judah and Jerusalem to fast and inquire of the Lord. He prayed, “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” What an incredible strategic planning prayer for your ministry, your advancement department, and your personal life.

The Holy Spirit revealed his plan through someone we don’t know well. Jahaziel wasn’t a military or government leader; he was a Levite and descendant of Asaph – a worship leader. God can speak to anyone in your organization or department. Good ideas don’t just come from the top-down, many of the best ideas come from the grassroots.

In 1976, Richard Montañez was hired as a janitor for $4 dollars an hour at a Frito-Lay plant in Rancho Cucamonga, California. One day, a broken machine on the Cheetos assembly line produced some plain Cheetos. Richard took some home, dusted them with chili powder and crunched into snack history. His eureka moment became Flamin’ Hot Cheetos which has since made billions of dollars.

Not only did the Spirit give Jahaziel the plan, Jehoshaphat honored him by placing the choir at the head of the army. God blessed Judah and Jerusalem with a great victory that day. Listen intently for God’s voice for your next good idea. The answer may come from the choir!

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron Haas