Our Eyes Are on You

What do you do when you are in the predicament of not knowing what to do? How do you decide what action to take, how to respond, which way to go from here when you are, yet again, at another crossroads in your Christian life, powerless, pummeled, perplexed? Where will you turn? Where will you look?

Maybe the circumstances of your life are overwhelming at this very hour. Maybe the wisdom you need to make a critical decision is frustratingly elusive. Maybe the disappointments of your heart are so soul-crushing that there does not seem to be a way forward, a way out, or a way to move on. Perhaps fear bites you with fangs of panic. Maybe the opposition of our Enemy has mounted, minions without number bearing down. What must you do? To answer, I'd like to gain some wisdom from a not-read-enough-book (2 Chronicles) about a back-up-against-the-wall-king. His desperate prayer points out his helplessness and his hope.

Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah was in dire straights. "A great multitude" from Moab, Ammon, and Edom, among other places, mounted up for war against him (2 Chron 20:2). The coalition had already advanced to Engedi, half way up the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, a couple days' march away. By the weekend, foreigners could be feasting on Judah's fatted calves and lounging on their couches. The survivors would be burying the dead.

When he heard the report, "Jehoshaphat was afraid" (20:3a). What he did next shows where his heart went—though afraid and troubled, he called the nation to pray and fast. Jehoshaphat "set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD" (20:4).

When you do not know what to do, seek the Lord.

The King led the country in corporate prayer, recounting the LORD's covenantal relationship with the patriarchs, his sovereign rule and power. He recalled the land promised to Abraham, the expulsion of nations from Canaan, and the building of the temple. Then, he rightly made an application to his current crisis, concluding that the coalition breathing down his neck was ultimately fighting against the LORD's name and promised "possession" (20:5-11).

When you are unsure of what to do, remember what God has already done.

Since the LORD's own name and purposes were at stake, his land and his people were threatened, Jehoshaphat cried out in desperation, "O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us" (20:12).  Jehoshaphat, although a strange name to us, is quite beautiful. It means The LORD has Judged. The LORD had already judged on behalf of his powerless people. But how would he provide a path forward for Jehoshaphat, wisdom for the moment, peace during war, comfort instead of fear?

Jehoshaphat's next words are the earnest prayer of a powerless man. "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you" (20:12). What a world of theology is contained in this simple, down-to-earth prayer of desperation.

The Holy Spirit responded to this humble cry. Prophesying through Jahaziel, a man whose name means Seen of God, God was looking at those who looked to him. The word of the LORD wrapped every man, woman, and child in comfort. "Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's....You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you" (20:15, 17).

Will you look at the horde or the Lord?

When Jehoshaphat heard of the advancing army, he "was afraid." Jahaziel repeats himself, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed," because "the battle is not yours but God's...and the LORD will be with you" (20:15, 17). When we look at any crisis, we are easily filled with fear. When we look to Christ who goes with us, we are filled with hope.

Face fear by remembering Christ is near.

When in danger, when facing critical decisions, when suffering discouragement, distress, and doubt, get your eyes on God! When you face the crucible, look to Christ crucified. When your eyes are heavy, look to heaven. Seek the Lord. Pray. Fast. Admit your helpless estate and lift up you eyes. "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come" (Psalm 121:1)?

Do you feel powerless? Remember God's promises. You may be helpless but you are not hopeless. Do you feel like you cannot press on, or like the world's too powerfully pressing in? Let us "look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt" (Psalm 123:2-3).

Keep looking until he has mercy.

When slogging through the valley of death, look up. Even at the mouth of Sheol, you can see your Savior. "As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol. But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless (Ps 141:7-8).

Jehoshaphat called the people to faith. "Believe in the LORD your God...believe his prophets and you will succeed" (20:20). And then he called for the most unusual military tactic: He placed the band at the front of the army. They sang, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever" (20:21). The band led the charge with cymbals instead of swords, harp strings instead of bowstrings. God did the rest. As for the coalition, "they all helped to destroy one another" (20:23). Judah did not unsheathe a sword or pull back a bowstring.

Many times, you have no clue what to do or how things are going to turn out. But you know where to look.

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."