You need only be still

If you're like me, you try to fix every problem that comes across your path; not only that, but you try to fix everyone else's problem that comes along their path as well! I'm the person that has difficulty not fixing a situation. Even if I have no idea how to fix a situation, I will keep talking and thinking until I can come up with a way to fix it. And more often than not, I was never intended to fix it in the first place. Maybe it's a result of being the oldest child in a dysfunctional household and having to care for my siblings at an early age, I dunno, but for whatever reason I have difficulty just sitting back and trusting God to work things out.

Now granted, there of course are times that God gives us common sense to work through a problem or situation, it's not always necessary to sit back and wait. Sometimes the answer is clear and you know what needs doing and you carry on to fix that thing, knowing that God has moved quickly. And then there are other times and situations that lend cause for waiting. And waiting. Aaaaaand waiting.

I read a powerful passage of scripture yesterday in 2 Chronicles regarding King Jehoshaphat that I wanted to share here in hopes that it might encourage someone in the middle of a difficult situation. The King was up against a huge army. He called everyone to fast and pray and they did. And here is the word that was sent to him re: the battle he faced:

2 Chronicles 20:15-17 says, "15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

The battle was not even his to begin with, the battle was the Lord's. And I LOVE vs. 17 that says, "You will not need to fight in this battle!" It's such an awesome encouragement to those that face tremendous difficulty today. No matter how dire a situation you find yourself in, the battle is not yours, it's the Lord's! And if the battle belongs to Him, you are guaranteed victory! The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the Universe, the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Fairest of Ten Thousands, the Bright and the Morning Star, King JESUS! He stands by your side, right by your side, and He will fight the battle for you! You need only be still. YOU NEED ONLY BE STILL. You need only be still.

It's interesting when you read the entire chapter because instead of sending out warrior captains on the front lines they sent out temple singers instead. They began to sing praises to God as they walked out to the battle!

So rather than take matters into your own hands, rather than sitting and obsessing over every situation going wrong in your world today, square your shoulders, lift up your head and begin to sing some praises to God! As you begin to sing, let the praises of God flow freely from your mouth and let those songs turn into shouts of victory because remember, God says "You need only be still!"