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. (2 Chronicles 20:15)
When was the last time you stood at the water’s edge, looking at a small green in the distance? The flapping of the flagstick dares you like a schoolyard bully, challenging you to give it your best shot.
“It’s a shot I’ve hit hundreds of times,” I think. “I know I can land it soft enough to hold the green. Well, I think I can. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe I should take more club. I could take the safe bailout shot.”
Doubt begins to crowd my mind. Then, as I stand staring into my bag, I suddenly recall, “Trust your club.” That one penetrating thought overrides my doubt. I remember that my confidence in my shot rests on the precise engineering of a tool designed for a moment like this.
My confidence does not rest on my feelings of doubt but on the designer of what I hold in my hand.
Second Chronicles chapter 20 tells us that somewhere in the wilderness of Tekoa, King Jehoshaphat of Israel faced the “ites,” the armies of the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites. He knew his army was not sufficient, but he also knew who was able.
His approach to his situation is a lesson for us all when we face our “ites” (the armies that are trying to conquer our minds and steal our confidence). He called all of Israel together to pray. Here is a recap. King Jehoshaphat prayed this way:
- He acknowledged who God is. Verse 6 You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You.
- He reminded God of what He had done for them in the past. Verse 7, “Our God, 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?”
- He acknowledged who they were (the Israelites). Verse 11 says, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
The result for the army of Israel was more than they expected. They were instructed: Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you. The men took their positions, and the LORD caused all the enemies to attack and kill one another.
When we find ourselves in the wilderness of Tekoa, don’t try to face the enemy alone. Whether your enemy looks like a loss, betrayal, depression, fear, or doubt, remember King Jehoshaphat and his prayer.
Declare who God is, what He’s done in the past, and who we are. Then stand firm, recognizing that your confidence rests in His power to deliver.
He loves to show off for us. The battle we may be facing right now is not ours. Our confidence rests in the Master Designer, who holds our future. This is what enables us to step out into this world with boldness.
Grab that iron and silence those schoolyard bullies by landing softly on the green. Trusting the club is good, but trusting our LORD to fight our battles is the true joy in life.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that I can confidently trust you and know you will deliver me. Help me turn to you when I am in need, not to the things of this world. You are my confidence and my rock. Amen