We Don’t Know What to Do

Posted on September 5, 2019 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

Jehoshaphat had a dilemma.  Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea…[i]

We have all been in Jehoshaphat’s sandals, when we have been staring at what seems to be an insurmountable challenge.  At times like these we can be tempted to feel hopeless.  Just because we don’t know what to do or how to navigate the path does not mean we are hopeless.  Jehoshaphat was staring down a formidable enemy that was fast approaching.  Our formidable enemy is probably not an avenging nation but maybe our ailing parents, a job loss or financial burden, or perhaps it’s a child that has lost her way and is daily making poor choices. Whatever the crisis is, we are not without hope.

Jehoshaphat’s very first response was similar to what I suspect ours would be. Fear.

Jehoshaphat was afraid

Fear in response to our crisis is not the issue, unless we allow that fear to control and immobilize us, then we have a problem.

I’ve heard it said, courage is not the absence of fear, but action in spite of fear.  Fear is immobilizing which is why it is a favorite tool of Satan to render us useless. But fear is not a controlling factor unless we allow it to be.  Jehoshaphat did not allow his fear to take him out of the game but rather he used it as a call to action. He proclaimed a fast – and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

Jehoshaphat did something else that is vital. He verbalized to God, a reminder to himself, let me say that again, he verbalized to God a reminder to himself that the problem was not theirs but God’s because it was His name and His people at stake.

And Jehoshaphat …said, “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.  Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’

Our crisis is not so much about us but about our God and His glory.

Sometimes we are tempted to handle things ourselves but when we don’t know what to do and truly are powerless to bring about a desired end it’s a no brainer to turn to God. When the enemy army was heading their way that is what Jehoshaphat did.  He knew where their only hope came from. 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 2:2-12

When a dilemma comes, remember:

1. There is always hope
2. Do not allow fear to be the controlling factor
3. Take action in spite of the fear
4. Remind yourself who God is and pray for His glory to be seen
5. In trust, chose to set your eyes fully on God – chose moment by moment to redirect your eyes on Him and chose to turn your thoughts from every other thing back to God.

Blessings,

Diane

[i] Scripture in this Victory Call are excerpts from 2 Chronicles 20: 2-12

Written By Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and provides ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

Think About This: Meet your fears with faith. – Max Lucado

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 146-147, John 1:1-28 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. – Psalm 139:13-14

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.