When you don’t know what to do, put your eyes on God.
O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 2:20)
It’s the truth that often we go through life not really knowing what to do. What university to go to, what career path to take, when to change jobs, when to start a family, when to buy a house. These are all challenging life decisions. Sometimes making big decisions are forced on us: what to do with an elderly relative that needs constant care; what to do with the car that is on it’s last legs; what to do with a wayward teen; how to pay that surprise bill. All incredibly difficult moments in life where the answer is not always crystal clear.
Sometimes the worst of these moments are when the crisis strips away our confidence and hope in God. Doubts can snowball. Questions can multiply.
King Jehosaphat, at the end of 2 Chronicles, finds himself in the middle of one of those life changing moments where is is forced to make a decision. The story is told of when Israel’s enemies – Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites – joined forces to invade Israel, outnumbering the Israel army. The only logical thing for the king to do was to pray. Look aat what the King prays:
O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. (2 Chronicles 20:6)
“God of our fathers” – this is the promise keeping God. This is the God who is faithful to His promises and the king starts by reminding his people that this is who is on their side. Here we have a God who doesn’t forget His people (Isaiah 41:10). He doesn’t abandon His people (Deuteronomy 31:6). He doesn’t forget His people (Joshua 1:5). In essence the King is asking: “when has God ever let us down?”. And, “since he has never let us down, let us go to Him”.
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 2:20)
The King is placing more hope and confidence in God, than in his armies. I like that! Is there an area in your life today that you need this kind of confidence in God in? If so, remember God’s good promises to you! True confidence is rooted in humble reliance on the fact that God is everything you need and He provides everything you need.
God’s response to this kind of faith is this:
And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. (2 Chronicles 2:14-15)
This story teaches us three things about facing a crisis:
- Go to God first.
- Remember God’s promises and faithfulness.
- Step out in faith
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