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PROGRAM D-7161
I want to show you from God’s Word what to do when you don’t know what to do. We all have those times in our lives when we’re up against that brick wall and we have no idea how to deal with it. Well, those are the times we need to know what to do, when we don’t know what to do!
Do you recall the story found in 2 Chronicles 20, where Jehoshaphat was facing war with a bunch of enemies who could undoubtedly wipe him off the map? He was a godly king of Judah, and when he realized this vast army was marching his way, he was alarmed—frightened, worried! Who wouldn’t be? But as soon as he saw his predicament, he “resolved to inquire of the Lord and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.”
Notice how he responded to a crisis—he resolved to inquire of the Lord. What is the first thing you do when facing an overwhelming enemy of some sort? It could be a relationship enemy or a financial enemy or a jobless enemy or a health enemy; they come in all types and sizes. Our first emotional reaction is alarm; that’s to be expected. But what does that alarm cause us to do?
Often the first thing I do is to plan my fight. Whatever the problem is, I start figuring how I can win this battle. I can do this or that; I can talk to this person or that one; I can pull this string or another one. Surely there is something I can do to fix this situation and fix it fast! So I start drawing up my battle plan.
Jehoshaphat knew better. He remembered to first of all “inquire of the Lord.” What is your mission impossible today, your impossible person, your mountain too high to climb? Have you inquired of the Lord yet for his guidance? Or are you struggling and working and fretting to come up with your own battle plan so you can solve that problem?
I have a suggestion—let’s you and I just stop right where we are and inquire of the Lord. That means to tell him that you trust him, you believe he is smarter than you are, and you admit that your ideas usually make matters worse rather than solve anything. So, instead of fighting your battle, you’re going to inquire of the Lord as to what to do. That’s the first important step.
I encourage you to read that 20th chapter of 2 Chronicles; it will encourage you.