And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace,
for his God had given him rest on every side.
2 Chronicles 20:30
We walked in step
then suddenly
I find myself
trudging along
peeking around
cattails
wading through
swamps
I know He’s up ahead
but can’t seem to
catch up
two steps forward
1,000 back
maybe I’ll just
sit right here
go no further
sigh . . .
Then suddenly
I look up
and He’s parted the way
holds out His hand
tells me it’s okay
just follow Him
wherever He leads
is always the right
place to be.
~Marcie Bridges
©7 April 2022
I admit it. Sometimes I strive to do everything on my own. And at some point, I am so depleted and ready to give up, that’s what I do. I give up.
But giving up isn’t always the bad idea it is usually made out to be. Giving up can actually be a good thing. Especially if we’re giving it up, to let God take the lead.
Jehoshaphat had a huge army coming up against him and Israel. The Israelites complained saying (I’m paraphrasing), “Why didn’t you [God] let us defeat them sooner when we came out of Egypt? And now they are coming to destroy us and take our land?” (Vs. 10-11).
But Jahaziel, a Levite (don’t you just love Bible names?), comes before them and tells them, “He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (vs. 15).
Did you catch that? For the battle is not yours, but God’s!
I wonder how often we become fearful of what we perceive is coming at us? Maybe we are stuck in a rut. Maybe we know changes are approaching we don’t feel prepared for. Or maybe we’ve done so much talking to God, we haven’t fully sat and listened to what He’s trying to tell us. Maybe, just maybe, we’ve heard the answer but we’re afraid to take the next step.
Whatever battle you are facing, big or small, it’s not too much for God. David used stones to bring down a giant (1 Samuel 17:49).
And Jehoshaphat? “Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord” (vs. 18). And when they rose up early the next morning to go out and fight, they went out singing and praising the Lord only to find the advancing armies already dead.
What God did for them, He will do for us.
So I have to ask myself. Do I need to actually sling stones? Or do I just need to worship the Lord and take that next step of faith?
After all the praising and singing and worshiping, they were able to take the plunder, and there was peace in the land of Israel. Maybe I’ve asked the Lord one too many times what to do but I just haven’t found His peace because I am not listening or believing.
From My Heart to Yours,
Marcie 🙂
Pictures provided by www.pixabay.com
Recent Comments