When You Don't Know What to Do: The Jehoshaphat Response
A few months ago I was in 2 Chronicles, and the prayer of King Jehoshaphat really stuck out to me. I’m sure all of us can relate to having situations where we don’t know what to do or say. Whether you’re currently going through one, recently got out of one, or one is around the corner, we all have moments where we feel completely helpless and at a loss for what to do. King Jehoshaphat’s response is an encouraging model for how to react when we are facing uncertainty, confusion, fear, and doubt.
Seek the Lord
King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were surrounded by their enemies. They didn’t know how they would be delivered in such a dire situation. Yet King Jehoshaphat's reaction wasn’t despair or to create his own battle plan. Instead, he sought the Lord. When we are faced with trials, it can be easy to either give up hope or try to save ourselves with our own strength. Yet we see here a beautiful picture of immediately turning to the Lord. In your uncertainty, seek the Lord in prayer. King Jehoshaphat didn’t seek God on his own, but he assembled the whole kingdom of Judah to fast and pray. Is there anyone you could invite to pray/fast alongside you for your situation? Have you considered fasting as a way to come before the Lord and seek His face?
Acknowledge God’s Power
King Jehoshaphat was confident in the character of God. In verse 6 he acknowledges who God is, “You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you”. Jehoshaphat knew that God was capable of bringing deliverance. Are there any verses you could meditate on that remind you of God’s power? I’d encourage you to reflect over this verse or perhaps a psalm such as Psalm 62, 73, or 121. Pray in confidence the character and strength of God. He alone is mighty to save.
Remember His Faithfulness
King Jehoshaphat then recounts how God has been faithful to the Israelites previously. He remembers how God drove out the inhabitants of the Promised Land and gave them the land that He had guaranteed them. Throughout the Israelites’ journey, God provided “Ebenezer stones”, also known as “stones of remembrance”. These were monuments to remind the Israelites of God’s previous faithfulness to them, and encourage them to trust Him as they walked forward. Think back on your own life, stories of others, and stories in the Bible. Recount the ways God has previously been faithful, and walk forward trusting that His character does not change. He will once again be faithful to you no matter the circumstance.
Recognize Your Need for Him
In verse 12, King Jehoshaphat cries out to God and says, “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”. I love the honesty and dependence in this verse. Jehoshaphat is aware of just how weak he and the people of Judah truly are. He has no idea what to do in the situation, yet he does the one thing that he does know how to do, fix his gaze on the Lord. There are so many verses in Scripture that encourage us to turn our eyes to the Lord. He is the only one who is strong enough to save us, so He is the only one worthy of our attention. Whatever your situation is, do not focus on how big your problem is, focus on how big your God is. When you don’t know what to do, cry out to the Lord. This is the best place for you to be.
Trust God’s Response
God then speaks through His prophet, Jahaziel, and says in verses 15-17, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them and the LORD will be with you”. What a comforting statement. God does not tell them to figure it out on their own, but tells them that the battle is His and He will be with them. Is this your mindset in all things? There is not a single situation that the Lord expects us to take on by ourselves. He has already gone before us, and will be with us. Do you believe that the things you are uncertain about or are currently facing, God is sovereign over? There is no better place for you to put your trust than in Him.
Praise God in the Waiting
King Jehoshaphat and the people then worship God. This happens before God actually delivers them. It can be easy to despair or be anxious while we wait for God to make our path clear. But what would it look like if you took the time to worship God while you wait? Take some time to sing, pray, and declare how great God is, even in the midst of the uncertainty. This is a beautiful step of faith and displays our certainty of who God is. No other religion offers this type of peace, so rest in the confidence we have in the Lord.
Conclusion
May this be an encouragement to you as you walk through situations when you don’t know what to do and feel surrounded on all sides. Jehoshaphat’s response to uncertainty serves as a reminder that, in the face of life’s overwhelming challenges, our ultimate hope lies not in our ability to figure things out, but in our sovereign God who holds all things together. It’s easy to fall into the trap of relying on our own wisdom or strength when we face difficulties, but Jehoshaphat shows us a different way. He reminds us that true peace comes when we surrender control and trust in God’s plan, even when we can’t see the way forward. May we be encouraged to turn our eyes off ourselves and onto God, knowing that He is more than capable of handling what we cannot. We don’t need to have everything figured out—just a heart that trusts in the One who does.
