2 Chronicles 12:20
“Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
I love this sincere prayer of Jehoshaphat. They were being attacked by Ammon, Moab and others. They were dwarfed by the enemy. It appears to be a surprise. All of the sudden they are a day away from going to war.
He gives an honest description, “we do not know what to do”. We all feel this from time to time. We are fearful and don’t know what to do. David echoes that sentiment in Psalm 61:2 “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
God is a master at helping when we don’t know what to do. This is when most pray. We might be sick, we might be in a jam. There are several situations in which we are desperate.
He delights in helping His children. He delights in helping the defenseless. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” I am comforted writing about this. He has brought me through so much. Looking back there were many desperate situations in which I didn’t know what to do. Here I am on the other side doing well. That’s God. God rescues.
Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Our own understanding makes us panic. We aren’t to look there. The longer we walk with Christ the less we worry about our circumstances. We look to Him.
Leading up to today’s verse we see Jehoshaphat addressing God and speaking of His matchless power. He recites His great deeds. He recites His mercies. God had spared these nations. The king says, “Look at how these nations are rewarding us.” They are not grateful or have forgotten. They are also blinded by their great strength. They aren’t factoring in God’s great power.
The longer we walk with Christ the lower our blood pressure goes. We don’t have those great spikes like we once had. Like Peter, if we look at the waves we panic. We learn not to look there.
I just had a sleepless night due to my own understanding. The selfishness of a friend was bothering me. As I planned to text him a response another thought occurred to me. God might be using Him to spare me from something. Yes, my schedule is burdened. I am unable to do what I planned. That involved several hours on the road. Maybe He is sparing me from a wreck or something else. Thinking that way has given me peace. My rehearsed speech to my friend has lost it’s energy. Trust God.
While harboring my bitterness I was praying for help. He answered. Thank You God. I am unworthy. You are so good Lord. Thank You.
Thank You for the kings example. He goes to You, Lord. Along with the nation. Some would mock Him for his transparency. The world doesn’t do that. He’s not afraid of that. He boldly is honest before God and the nation. Help us to go to You Lord. Help us to not look to our own understanding.