Oh to sit still and wait upon the Lord…that’s not an easy thing to do. We tend to spend our daily lives in busyness. We are programmed to do and to accomplish, but usually in our own power. We do have a lot that needs to be accomplished, but if we learn to go to the Lord first, we just may find that much of our “to do lists” can be accomplished with outside help. Scripture tells us that the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. How often do you walk in the steps the Lord provides KNOWING that?

When King Jehoshaphat was told that a vast army was coming against them, he went straight to the Lord begging for guidance (2 Chron. 20:2-4). And he and all the people prayed to the Lord reminding Him of His promises: “Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor Your name. 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.’ 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.” (2 Chron. 20:8-9, 12)

The Spirit of the Lord responded through Jahaziel: “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. 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. 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!'” (2 Chron 20:15-17)

The people believed and did what the Lord said. But get this, not only did they do that but they praised the Lord while they were walking — thanking Him for what He said He would accomplish BEFORE He did it. “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!” That’s faith! “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…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.” (vv 22, 24)

The Lord is with us as well. What if today you take your position, stand still, praise Him and then watch the Lord’s victory? “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)