“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, NKJV)
There are those unwanted occasions in life when we find ourselves experiencing that uneasy feeling … we don’t know where to turn or what to do!
We may resort to looking to friends and family. While they offer support, they don’t have all the answers. We may turn to our own wisdom, experience, and strength only to shake our head at our woeful limitations.
We are often in the middle of several battles. Not with large physical armies. Maybe our own health or the health of family members or close friends … maybe our financial situation … maybe relationships complications with our families or neighbors … and even those within our own heart and soul.
The question that plagues so many is how to let God fight our battles?
We may be very independent. A quality that can be a blessing or a curse. A certain degree of independence can be of benefit. But it can also become a stumbling block that if allowed to go unchecked, can stand between us and our God and His will for our lives.
When the Old Testament king Jehoshaphat received word that three armies had conspired together and were coming against him in one massive assault, he made a decisive and unconventional leadership move. His plea recorded in 2 Chronicles 20:1-13 … “God, we’re facing an enemy that is stronger than we are. We don’t know what to do, but we’re looking to You for help.”
How many times have we been in a similar situation … helpless and in some ways hopeless. We ought to be turning to the Lord with eyes focused on Him! It is with Him that we can find the wisdom, guidance, comfort, and peace that He alone can provide.
Our Lord never grows weary of our taking our worries, concerns, problems, and challenges before His throne! He longs for His people to address their needs to Him … yours and mine. He is always ready to listen and answer … according to His will and nature!
The Lord answered Jehoshaphat by Jahaziel, the son of Zechariah. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him while he was with the congregation.
2 Chronicles 20:15 “… Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.”
Jehoshaphat’s hope was built on the promises and presence of God. Does this describe our hope, our faith and trust in the Lord? Centuries long ago, when the people of God had divided into northern and southern kingdoms, it was God’s name that dwelt in Judah, and therefore His glory was at stake in this great horde marching against them. Jehoshaphat knows that God is faithful to keep all His promises, so he appeals to Him with great confidence and directness knowing he will find well-timed help because of the covenant love of God. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
In the same way, even when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances, steady hope lives and endures in the promises of God to us in Christ. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who will lead us even in the valley of the shadow of death, pursuing us with His goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. (Psalm 23:4, 6)
Nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39)
Except our own choice to dismiss His instructions.
It is when we find ourselves afraid and fearful, unsettled, and uncertain … that we turn to the blessed avenue of prayer, and we pray with confidence because of these sure and steady promises … promises that are ours because Jesus bled and died to make us “sons and daughters of God.”
Whatever battles you are facing today, seek God. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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