When You Don’t Know What to Do

2 Chronicles 20:12 - Our God, will you not judge them? 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.”

Life often presents battles that seem overwhelming, leaving us feeling uncertain and powerless. These struggles can take many forms—financial hardships, illness, emotional turmoil, or psychological burdens—the list is endless. In such moments of uncertainty, the pressing question remains: What do we do when we don’t know what to do?

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat found himself in a similar crisis. Though he was a righteous king devoted to spiritual renewal, he had previously stumbled by aligning himself with King Ahab. Yet, in God’s mercy, his past failures did not define his future. As he turned back to the Lord, an enemy arose against him. This is a pattern we often see in our own lives—just when we commit ourselves to walking in obedience and drawing closer to God, the enemy, whose mission is to steal, kill, and destroy, launches his fiercest attacks. However, as Jehoshaphat’s story reveals, even in our moments of greatest uncertainty, God remains our unfailing source of victory.

Who were the Enemies?

Jehoshaphat faced a vast army made up of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites—old enemies of Israel who had long opposed God’s people. Their attack was sudden and overwhelming, coming at a time when Judah was turning back to God.

If we look deeper, the origins of Moab and Ammon reveal something significant. These nations descended from Lot, born through an incestuous relationship with his daughters after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:30-38). Their very beginnings were rooted in moral failure, compromise, and human effort outside of God’s design. Doesn’t this reek of the enemy’s tactics? From the very start, their existence was marked by brokenness, deception, and rebellion—elements the devil has used throughout history to oppose God’s people.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The battle Jehoshaphat faced was not merely a military conflict—it was a spiritual one. Likewise, the battles we face today often have deeper, unseen forces at work. When we seek to walk in obedience to God, the enemy does everything he can to discourage, distract, and destroy.

Yet, as Jehoshaphat’s story shows, our victory does not come from our own strength, but from seeking the Lord and trusting in His power.

At this moment, Jehoshaphat was completely unprepared for war. He had no plan, no strategy, and no immediate solution. The enemy was closing in fast, and fear gripped his heart. It was a crisis beyond his control.

Isn’t this how life often unfolds? We do our best to prepare, thinking we have everything figured out, only for an unexpected storm to arise—a sudden financial setback, a health crisis, a broken relationship, or an unforeseen challenge that leaves us shaken. In these moments, our human wisdom fails, and we realize we have no answers. But as Jehoshaphat’s story teaches us, when we don’t know what to do, there is One who does.

Jehoshaphat’s Response

Even though Jehoshaphat was unprepared militarily, he was prepared spiritually. His first response was not panic but prayer and dependence on God. Instead of relying on his own strength, he turned to the Lord. "Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord" (2 Chronicles 20:3). Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he proclaimed a national fast and called the entire nation to seek the Lord in unity. His leadership in this crisis demonstrated that when confronted with overwhelming circumstances, the best course of action is to seek divine guidance.

Jehoshaphat also understood his enemy. He knew this was not merely a physical battle but a spiritual confrontation. Rather than underestimating the threat, he acknowledged the danger before him. Awareness of the enemy’s schemes is crucial in any battle—whether physical or spiritual—because it allows for the right response. He did not ignore or dismiss the severity of the situation but sought God's wisdom in facing it.

In his prayer, Jehoshaphat admitted his own weakness. He recognized that he did not have the resources or strategies to win this battle on his own. His humility before God is evident in his words: "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You" (2 Chronicles 20:12). This confession highlights a critical spiritual principle—true strength is found in acknowledging our limitations and placing full dependence on God. It is in our moments of helplessness that God’s power is most clearly displayed.

Above all, Jehoshaphat knew God. His prayer was filled with reminders of God’s past faithfulness, demonstrating his deep trust in the Lord’s ability to intervene. He recalled the mighty works God had done before and held onto the belief that if God had delivered His people in the past, He could do it again. His confidence was not in military might but in the unwavering character of God. By looking back at God's faithfulness, Jehoshaphat strengthened his faith for the battle ahead, knowing that the God who had been faithful before would be faithful again.

God’s response

In response to Jehoshaphat’s prayer, God answered through Jahaziel, a Levite, who delivered a powerful prophetic word. He assured the king and the people, saying, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). This declaration shifted the entire perspective of the crisis—what seemed like an overwhelming battle was not theirs to fight. Instead, God Himself would take control.

Along with this assurance, God also provided a divine strategy. Unlike conventional warfare, where armies rely on strength and tactics, Judah was instructed not to fight but to stand firm and witness God's salvation. This required faith and complete trust in the Lord. Victory would not come through swords and shields but through obedience and surrender to God's command. By stepping aside and allowing God to act, Jehoshaphat and his people positioned themselves to experience the miraculous power of divine intervention.

Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were now faced with a choice: Would they trust in God's promise or be paralyzed by fear? Their response demonstrated unwavering faith.

First, they had to trust in God’s Word. It was one thing to hear the promise, but another to believe it wholeheartedly. Jehoshaphat had to stand firm in the assurance that God would fight for them, even though the enemy forces were vast and intimidating. Faith requires taking God at His word, even when circumstances seem impossible.

Second, they had to go out in faith. Though God had declared they wouldn’t need to fight, they were still commanded to march forward. Obedience was required—they couldn’t just stay in their camp and wait; they had to step out, fully trusting that God’s promise would be fulfilled. This act of moving forward despite uncertainty reflects a powerful principle: faith is not passive; it requires action.

Finally, instead of responding with fear, they chose to worship instead of worrying. Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go ahead of the army, praising God before the battle even began. As they lifted their voices in worship, God set an ambush against their enemies, bringing complete victory. This moment illustrates the power of praise as a weapon—when we focus on God’s greatness instead of our problems, we invite His presence and power into our battles.

Through trust, obedience, and worship, Jehoshaphat and Judah experienced the miraculous intervention of God, proving once again that the battle truly belongs to the Lord.

What are the lessons we can learn?

1. When you don’t know what to do, turn to God. Our first response should be prayer, not panic.
2. Recognize your enemy but don’t fear him. We fight spiritual battles, and our enemy (Satan) is real, but he is defeated.
3. Admit your weakness, but trust in God’s strength. God moves in our surrender.
4. Recall God’s faithfulness. Remember what He has done in the past—He is the same God today.
5. Worship is a weapon. Praise shifts our focus from the problem to God, and He moves on our behalf.
6. The battle is the Lord’s. We don’t always need to fight—sometimes, we just need to trust and stand firm.

Prayer

Father, we come before You in faith, acknowledging that the battles we face are never ours alone. We trust in Your Word and Your promises, knowing that You fight for us. Help us to step out in faith, to move forward even when the way seems unclear. Teach us to worship instead of worry, to focus on Your greatness rather than our fears. May Your presence guide us, and Your victory be our testimony. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged… Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).