Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:13)

Children Standing Before The Lord

A national crisis had thrown the kingdom of Judah into turmoil as the people of Moab, with the people of Ammon and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against King Jehoshaphat. The small kingdom of Judah sought to remain faithful to the Lord, and Jehoshaphat was one of the few good kings who tried to bring the people back to God. Facing a great army, the king appealed to the Lord God of Israel to save His people. Jehoshaphat feared the great multitude of armies that stood before him. He set himself to seek the favor of the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. The people of Judah gathered together to ask for help from the Lord, and from all the cities of Judah, they came to seek the Lord.

As the people gathered together for this national crisis, seeking the help of the Lord, the Holy Spirit included an important lesson for parents who want to instill in their children a love of God and dependence upon the grace and mercy of the Lord. When all of Judah gathered together to ask for help from the Lord, they brought their little ones, their wives, and their children. The children needed to see God’s power in their parents’ hearts to depend upon God for deliverance. If the enemy was successful in waging war against them, everyone would die – including the children.

Faith in children must begin in the home. The wisdom to bring children to stand before the Lord is to show them who they must trust in times of crisis. This is learned by teaching and example. God wanted to see the children standing before him that day. He promised to deliver His people from the threat of the Moabites, Ammonites, and others who sought harm against Judah. The deliverance of God’s people was demonstrated powerfully when the enemies were defeated by singing. The Lord told Jehoshaphat and the people to position themselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. They did not need to fear or be dismayed. God would deliver them.

The people stood before the Moabites and Ammonites and sang, “Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever.” By God’s divine intervention, the Ammonites and Moabites fought against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. Then, they turned on one another and killed everyone. Judah never lifted a sword against them. When Judah came to the place where the battle took place, there were dead bodies everywhere. No one had escaped. There was so much spoil, and it took three days to gather it all together. God had delivered the people with His power, and the little ones and children saw His power.

Parents need to expose their children to the word of God. Children need to see their parents praying. Little ones need to visit the elderly to learn compassion. Families should spend time together learning about God and seeing the power of God in everyday stories. Parents need to bring their children to stand before the Lord. Children need never wonder where they will be when it is time to meet with God’s people. If a child does not know if they are “going to church,” the parents are failing their children. God wants the little ones to stand before Him. Jesus took time for children on multiple occasions during His ministry and rebuked His disciples when they hindered them. Let the little ones and children come before the Lord. Show them the power of God. Let them learn of His forgiveness, compassion, and wrath. Lead the children to Jesus Christ.