What to do, When You Don’t Know What To Do…
Several years ago, I have had a couple of powerful moments with my kids. One morning my daughter says to me, “Daddy, did you have good dreams?” “No”, I replied, “I didn’t have any dreams.” She quickly responded, “That is sad, everyone needs dreams!” Stunned and struck with the enormity of my 3 year olds’ wisdom. Then, 2 days later, my son hit me with a big question. “Dad, have you ever let a team down that was counting on you to win?” “Yes son, more times, than not”, was my reply. The fragile thoughts of an 8 year old, desperately wanting to be older and better than he feels on the inside! “How do you get past that Dad?” “Well son……………………”
Have you ever had those thoughts yourself! Have you ever measured the surroundings of your world and wondered exactly what do with the fact that you are dreamless, that you feel like everything in the world is crashing down on you. These feeling are not just for the young at heart or the young in body! These feelings are for those that have a heartbeat. Whether young or old, rich or poor, married or single, you will find yourself asking the question “What do I do, I do not know what to do?”
Scripture answers that question for us in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30(Click to read.). No I am going to let you read it for yourself, but I want to give you the answer to the question…
Look at verse 3…“Terrified, he begged God for guidance!”
There was a King in the Old Testament named Jehoshaphat. He was a good king. He made his fair share of mistakes in his life. Especially in the last years of his life. It would be safe to say that he didn’t end as strong as he started. But God gave him hope!
In 2 Chr. 20, we see King Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah hemmed from every side. Death was imminent. There was no way, except for loss of life. But tucked away in this short chapter of scripture, contain an incredible miracle that is applicable to you and I today…
2 Chronicles 20 (NLT) War with Surrounding Nations
1 After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.”
3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.
5 Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. 9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’
10 “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
- Look to God for help!
Vs. 12 – “O our God, we do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
King Jehoshaphat knew from his time in dealing with King Ahab, that he had to keep his eyes not on the surroundings, the people, the situation, but on the voice of the Lord!
2 Chr. 18:4, “Jehoshaphat added, “But, first let’s find out what the Lord says!”
The question was, “What should we do?”
If you cannot “hear” the word of God, then read the Word of God! He is speaking!
You do it now, fasting locks in the yield for later!
13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.
15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
- Fear Not!
Vs. 15 – “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
King Jehoshaphat knew from his time in dealing with King Ahab, that he had nothing to fear if he stayed with God’s plan!
2 Chr. 18:31, “But Jehoshaphat call out, and the Lord save him. God helped him by turning the attackers away from him!”
Joshua 1:8&9 – 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
You do it now, fasting proves faith, trust, and strength later!
16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”
- Keep your eyes on God!
Vs. 17 – “…watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you!”
King Jehoshaphat knew from his time dealing with King Ahab, that he knew of being solely committed to God!
2 Chr. 19:3 “…you have committed yourself to seeking God!”
We have to keep our eyes on what is important! That would ultimately be HIM!
You do it now, your eyes will stay on Him later!
18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
- Have Faith!
Vs. 20 – “Believe in the Lord your God and you will be able to stand firm!”
King Jehoshaphat knew this from his time appointing judges in the land.
2 Chr. 19:11 “Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right!”
Heb. 11:1 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see!”
You do it now, your faith will continue to grow later!
21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!” 22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
Now!
Vs. 22 – “At the very moment…
You do it now, HE WILL DO IT LATER!
23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.
27 Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord. 29 When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
We are all going through stuff! As a church we are going through some very difficult financial hardships! Some of us are going through family crisis! Some of us have been to the Dr. recently and the outcome seems unchangeable. When you are going through it and you lose the dreams, and you feel lost in the middle of such familiar surroundings…When You Don’t Know What To Do…Remember…
“He Believes In You!” (Click to watch and listen!)