In studying more about Jehoshaphat, I found that the “Valley of Jehoshaphat” is also known as the “Valley of Decision.” In an article by that name in the CS Sentinel (5/13/1916, by Clarence W. Chadwick), this stood out: “When to human sense does God’s law become operative for the individual? The moment he enters ‘the valley of decision’ and resolves to take his stand on the side of right and to let God’s will be done.”

This question reminded of these lines from Adam H. Dickey’s “God’s Law of Adjustment” – “When we understandingly declare that the law of God is present and is in operation, we have invoked or brought into action the law and the power of God. We have declared the truth, God’s truth – and that truth of God is the law of annihilation, obliteration, and elimination to everything that is unlike Him.….Whatever is out of order or discordant comes under the direct government of God through what may be termed God’s law of adjustment…..All we have to do is scientifically to bring this law of adjustment into contact with our unfinished problem, and when we have done this we have performed our full duty.”

In an article entitled, “Set Yourselves” (CS Journal, Oct 1957, by Katherine Puffer), the author states, “When a right idea is revealed to us, we must rely on that idea, and to do so requires that we stand still, stay right with the idea until we see the salvation of God.” One definition of “salvation” is: “preservation from destruction, danger, or great calamity” (Webster’s 1928)

So, King Jehoshaphat and all the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem: (1) Took their “stand on the side of right,” (2) Understandingly declared God’s law and power to be present and in operation (II Chr. 20: 6, 9, & 12), (3) Scientifically brought this understanding “into contact with [their] unfinished problem” (the “great company”), (4) Stood still/Set themselves, and stayed right with the idea while God’s law of adjustment was in operation, (5) Went confidently forth with their grateful songs of praise in the lead, and then, (6) Saw the salvation of God (His “set ambushments”) in the “annihilation, obliteration, and elimination of everything…unlike Him” (the invading enemy/error).

An article entitled, “Invasion,” (CSS, 5/17/1919, by H.B. Stairs), points out that: “…the word invasion is used also as a medical term. The body is said to be subject to invasion by so-called germs….the whole field of mesmerism is filled with the idea of invasion….the desire to invade the consciousness of another by human mental influences.”

How blessed we are to have the enlightened and life-saving guidance of our beloved Leader in our duty to defend ourselves daily from any/all potential invasions by any/all perceived enemies or errors that may attempt to assail us! And, how glorious to know that all such attempts will fail as we enter the “valley of decision,” resolving to take our stand on the side of right and declaring the presence of God’s law and power, just as did king Jehoshaphat, all of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem – such a shining example that we are NOT subject to invasion, but “…we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37)!