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What do you do when you don’t know what to do? In 2 Chronicles 20 where Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, had to fight a vast enemy army and from all outward appearances, his army was going to be soundly defeated.
When Jehoshaphat realized he didn’t know what to do, he called all the people together and prayed for God’s help. From his prayer I want to point out seven R’s that I hope you’ll remember, because this shows you what to do when you don’t know what to do.
The first R – Recite who God is
Jehoshaphat prayed:
“You are the God who is in heaven. You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand and no one can withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6).
Jehoshaphat’s first move was to remind himself and his people of God and his power. And it has to be our first move, too. We must have an in-depth knowledge of the nature of God. That means we must get to know God. Are you able to recite the nature and character of God? Is it firmly established in your heart and mind? When there are no answers, you must begin by reciting who God is.
The second R – Remember God’s great works
Jehoshaphat’s prayer continues:
“Did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7).
Isn’t it amazing how your memory goes on you when you’re in a crisis or when you’re discouraged? It takes an act of your will to remember what you should remember. But it’s important at these times that you purposely remember God’s past miracles in your life, his faithfulness to you in days gone by, his deeds of old, as Jehoshaphat did. That’s important to remember when you don’t know what to do.