Vance Havner emphasizes the desperate situation faced by King Jehoshaphat of Judah, who, confronted by overwhelming enemies, turned to God in prayer, acknowledging his inability to cope. He draws parallels to modern America, suggesting that while the nation is in crisis, many remain complacent, relying on human solutions rather than seeking divine intervention. Havner calls for genuine humility and repentance in prayer, stressing that true desperation for God is necessary to experience His power. He challenges the church to recognize its own spiritual apathy and to engage in fervent prayer, likening it to the desperate faith of those who sought Jesus for healing. Ultimately, he urges believers to acknowledge their need for God and to act with urgency in their spiritual lives.

Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the importance of faith that comes from hearing the Word of God, using the story of King Jehoshaphat to illustrate how faith must be mixed with action to be effective. He explains that while the Word of God generates faith, it is only through the active appropriation of that faith that believers can experience the fullness of God's promises. Jehoshaphat's reliance on God during a crisis exemplifies the shift from self-reliance to total dependence on God's power, culminating in a victorious outcome when he and his people praised God in faith. Thomas urges listeners to not only know the truth but to act upon it, thereby allowing God to work through them. The sermon concludes with a call to abandon unholy alliances and to trust fully in God's sovereignty.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for spiritual awakening and recognizing who God is. He highlights the despair and despondency that many Christians feel when observing the state of the world. The speaker urges believers to become alarmed and wake up to the reality of the situation. Drawing inspiration from the story of Joshua, the speaker encourages seeking divine intervention and reminding oneself of God's power and past faithfulness. The sermon also touches on the decline in Bible reading and the alarming direction of the educational system. Overall, the speaker believes that despite the challenges, we are living in a time of great opportunity for God's work.

In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Elijah and his servant when they saw the mountains full of chariots, representing the enemy. The preacher emphasizes that when we don't let God reign in our lives, we become vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. However, when we allow God to reign, we can experience victory and gather spoils instead of being defeated. The preacher also highlights the importance of praise as a powerful weapon in the ministry, citing examples from the Old Testament, such as Jehoshaphat's victory over a vast enemy army. The sermon encourages believers to learn from these lessons and become effective teachers, winning souls for Christ.

In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays emphasizes the importance of having a song in our hearts and praising God in all circumstances. He uses the example of Silas and Paul, who praised God even after being beaten and imprisoned, and experienced a miraculous release. Pastor Mays also highlights the strength of Jesus Christ, who endured beatings but remained steadfast in his purpose. He encourages believers to approach God with joy, thanksgiving, and praise, and to cultivate a deep relationship with Him through prayer and dialogue. The sermon emphasizes the need to hear and know the voice of God in our lives.

Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the believer's hope in Christ, illustrating how true assurance comes from recognizing our inadequacy and relying on God's sufficiency. He recounts the story of Jehoshaphat, who learned to turn to God in times of crisis, demonstrating that faith involves not just belief but active appropriation of God's promises. Thomas encourages believers to abandon self-reliance and embrace a life led by Christ, who empowers us to face challenges with confidence and praise. The sermon highlights the importance of understanding our identity in Christ and the transformative power of faith in action.

Ralph Erskine preaches on the importance of pleading with God for a new heart and spirit, emphasizing the free and gracious promise in Ezekiel 36:26-27. He encourages acknowledging our feebleness and inability to change ourselves, urging us to seek God's helping hand for transformation. Erskine highlights the power of God in overcoming our weaknesses and the necessity of Christ in our lives, emphasizing the ease with which God can work faith in us. He also stresses the mercy, freedom, and extension of God's compassion, inviting us to come to Him for life. Lastly, Erskine urges listeners to plead Christ's commission and the value of His blood, encouraging a decision to receive Christ and embrace His offer of salvation.

Charles E. Cowman preaches on the importance of faith during desperate days, emphasizing that faith is essential to please God and that it sustains and solves desperate situations. Desperation, seen throughout the Bible, often becomes the platform for God's miraculous interventions and man's growth in wisdom. The sermon highlights various biblical accounts, such as the Old Testament deliverances, the faith of the three Hebrew children facing the fiery furnace, and Jesus' desperate moments in Gethsemane, showcasing how faith triumphs over despair.

David Wilkerson emphasizes that the battles we face are ultimately the Lord's, not ours. He draws from 2 Chronicles 20, where King Jehoshaphat and his people seek God in the face of overwhelming odds, reminding us that when we feel powerless, we should turn our eyes to God. Wilkerson encourages believers to trust in God's promises and to recognize that the true battle is against the forces of evil, not against our own circumstances. He reassures that God is aware of our struggles and will act on our behalf if we maintain our faith and refuse to succumb to fear. The key to overcoming our battles lies in surrendering our problems to God and trusting Him to deliver us.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the power of prayer and praise in spiritual warfare, using King Jehoshaphat's example from 2 Chronicles 20. When faced with overwhelming enemies, Jehoshaphat led Judah in fasting and prayer, acknowledging their weakness and placing their trust in God. His declaration, 'Our eyes are on Thee,' exemplifies the faith needed to invite God's intervention, which resulted in victory through praise. Poonen warns against the extremes of emotional praise without holiness and serious living without joy, urging believers to embody both praise and holiness as they follow Christ. Ultimately, he encourages a faith-filled praise that acknowledges God's sovereignty, even amidst trials.

Seth Rees preaches on the importance of knowing God intimately to be strong and do great exploits. He emphasizes the danger of reducing Christianity to mere theology and ethics, highlighting the need for a personal revelation of God in our lives. Rees stresses the necessity of depending solely on God's power and presence, rather than on human methods or schemes, to achieve remarkable feats in our spiritual journey and in the salvation of others.

A.W. Pink emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing God in our lives as we enter a new year, urging believers to focus on eternal matters rather than dissipating their energies on secondary pursuits. He highlights the importance of seeking God's presence first each day, surrendering our wills to Him, and maintaining purity of heart. Pink reminds us that true service to God begins at home, where our actions should reflect our faith. By putting first things first, we align ourselves with God's will and ensure that our lives bear fruit for His glory. Ultimately, he calls for a heartfelt commitment to God, recognizing Him as the source of all strength and wisdom.

F.B. Meyer emphasizes that the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to fulfill the prophecy of the return of the Jewish captives from Babylon, as foretold by Jeremiah and Isaiah. He highlights the importance of prayer, as exemplified by Daniel, in influencing leaders and initiating divine movements. Meyer notes that while God can stir hearts, obedience is essential, and sadly, only a few of the Jewish captives responded to the call to return. He encourages believers to rise up and act whenever they feel a divine stirring in their lives. Ultimately, the sermon calls for faith and responsiveness to God's leading.

Zac Poonen preaches on the spiritual warfare believers face against evil forces, emphasizing the need to be wholehearted and on fire for the Lord to effectively fight against the enemy. He highlights the importance of prayer, especially for those faithfully preaching God's Word, as they are prime targets of the enemy's attacks. Using the example of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, Zac Poonen teaches on the power of seeking God in prayer, acknowledging our weakness, and trusting God to fight our battles. He categorizes believers into three groups based on their confidence in themselves and in God, stressing the necessity of having total confidence in God to do eternal work for Him.