“O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23)
It has been said that life is full of twists and turns. If you have lived very long at all, you are aware of the accuracy of that statement. Sometimes life does not go the way that we plan for it to. Sometimes we find ourselves facing seemingly insurmountable odds and simply do not know what to do.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
In times of darkness, we need to embrace the light of God’s Word for guidance, comfort, and hope. What should we do when we don’t know what to do? I believe we can find the answer to that by looking at the example of king Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. In the context of this chapter, the nation of Judah was facing an alliance of three nations (vs. 1, 10) that was determined to utterly destroy them. The king did not know what to do, however, despite this, we find his first course of action.
Pray
“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)
Jehoshaphat did not sit around worrying. He did not go around to all of his friends griping and complaining. He prayed. He appealed to the One who can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). We are encouraged to do the same today as we approach Him through our Mediator, Jesus Christ.
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in allpoints tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Trust
After Jehoshaphat’s prayer, the Spirit came upon Jahaziel thus providing instruction (vs. 14).
“And he said, ‘Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says theLord to you: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”‘” (2 Chronicles 20:15)
We must always remember that, no matter how dire things become, God has promised to never leave or forsake us. Why then should we fear? (Hebrews 13:5-6)
Do What You Know Is Right
“‘Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:16-17)
Did it makes sense in the mind of the king and the rest of the people to go out against this massive army? Surely not. However, they determined to do so because God had given them the instruction (vs. 20). Sometimes God’s instructions might seem contrary to our instincts (“love your enemies,” for example (Matthew 5:44)), but the truth of the matter is that God’s way works. Always.
“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (Psalm 18:30)
Worship and Praise
“And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.” (2 Chronicles 20:18-19)
Not only did the people praise God leading up to their inevitable confrontation with their enemies, but they did so on the battlefield as well:
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: ‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’ Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.” (2 Chronicles 20:21-22)
Isn’t it amazing that Judah’s enemies were defeated not by the sword, but rather by their demonstrated faith in God which culminated in their public praise of Him?
Will you praise Him even in the midst of whatever storms you might be facing this day? Will you count your blessings even when it is so easy to focus on all that you don’t have? (cf. Philippians 4:6-7)
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)
Conclusion
I do not know what difficulties you are dealing with this day, but I do know that God is bigger; He is stronger; and He is able to deliver thee.
“If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.” (Daniel 3:17)
When you find yourself not knowing what to do, listen to what God has revealed. Pray. Trust. Do. Praise. If we follow His formula, it will work out for good. (Romans. 8:28)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)