Where Helplessness Meets Hopefulness

Sep 15 2023 - Eric Buresh

I woke up a little earlier than usual this morning to spend a little extra time in prayer and journaling. You can read along in my silent conversation with my Father – my ugliness and all. I’m facing some enemies. I’m not talking about a metaphor, but real people who, for reasons that are beyond me, want a fight. I am not sure what they even want, but I can see the organizing and maneuvering, and I know what is coming. I don’t really want the fight. I don’t want the inevitable destruction. I want to love them. But . . . I’ll do what I must. 

I opened the Word planning to find some Psalms to pray where David was asking God to destroy his enemies. As I flipped my Bible open, I paused. Sitting on the table in front of me was 2 Chronicles 20. I laughed out loud. I know this story – King Jehoshaphat. He had just learned that the forces of Moab and the Ammonites had massed against him and that he was severely outnumbered. The kingdom of Judah was facing an existential threat. The fight was coming. 

Jehoshaphat called the whole country together to fast and seek the Lord in prayer. There is a lot to learn from Jehoshaphat’s entire prayer (vs. 6-12), but my eyes are drawn to the conclusion in verse 12. I grab two highlighters – one yellow, one green. With the yellow, I highlight: “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do . . .” Helplessness. Total dependence. Jehoshaphat didn’t have a plan. He knew it and didn’t pretend otherwise. No false bravado.   

With the green highlighter, I focus on the last line: “but our eyes are upon You.” Hopefulness. Confident belief in the promises of God. Trust. Faith. God had always kept His promises, and He would again. He would not fail. 

I mimic Jehoshaphat -- my eyes are on You. What should I do? “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourself, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you.” (vs. 17)  

So, if I’m hearing You right, Lord, there will be a battle, but I don’t need to fight. I should just stand still. Hmm, I’m not sure I like that plan. I’m a pretty good fighter. You probably want me to counter-maneuver in some way to cut off the enemy. If You give me some help, Lord, I can end the fight before it even gets started. What I’m looking for here, Lord, is a little help with the strategy. Standing still doesn’t sound quite right. I mean, You built me for these situations. Seriously, Lord, how do you want me to fight this battle? 

Seriously, Eric, I want you to stand still. “The battle is not yours, but [Mine].” (vs. 15) You, Eric, are just like Jehoshaphat – you don’t have any idea what to do. But you, Eric, are not like Jehoshaphat because you still think you do. You deceive yourself. When you accept your helplessness, I will be your hope. 

Wow, Lord, I’m so sorry. I don’t know where my thoughts came from. Stinking pride. Thank you for your patience and for continuing to teach me. I’ll stand still unless You tell me otherwise. I’ll be singing (vs. 21) and watching You work (vs. 22).