'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.' (2 Chronicles 20:12)
Sometimes, we find ourselves facing what seems like a 'vast army' — a challenge that appears far beyond our ability to overcome. However, there are times when we won't need to overcome it because God will remove the need for us to even fight the battle we're facing. For instance, years ago, my wife and I embarked on a challenging journey to have children. It was a lengthy process, and at one point, it became particularly discouraging. I recall watching a television show featuring a woman who had experienced a similar struggle. She reached a stage where she prayed to God, asking if it wasn't His will for her to have children, to please take away her desire for them. In doing so, she stepped back from her struggle, entrusting her deep-seated desire to God's will.
This reminds me of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, under attack by the Moabites and Ammonites. He admitted, 'We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.' He knew the battle was too great for them; they were outmatched. In this situation, God reassured them, 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's (2 Chronicles 20:15).' They didn’t need to fight; they only needed to stand and watch God's victory.
We can experience this too. What does this look like practically? Sometimes, you may be wrestling with a problem, with all the steps to solve it laid out. Yet, completing these steps may take a long time and might not even resolve the issue. However, God could simply remove the problem altogether, fighting the battle for you.
I experienced this while pursuing some lifestyle goals for my family and myself. But in addition to pursuing the goal itself, I was also faced with some mental blocks that were holding me back from taking action on the very goals I was trying to attain. So I developed a strategy to overcome the mental block but then chose to turn to God, asking Him to help me achieve these goals despite the mental block (lack of knowledge and faith). Miraculously, He removed the mental block. I no longer had to follow the extensive steps I had planned to change my mindset. Instead, the goals that once seemed unattainable began to materialize.
It's important to note that my mindset shifted without me having to exert much more effort. However, this was after spending the last 15 months in intensive Bible study and scripture memory. Laying this spiritual groundwork is crucial. If you read the entire narrative from 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, you'll see that King Jehoshaphat also invested in his spiritual foundation, evidenced by his deep understanding of God's promises, nature, and track record. This is why spending time daily in His word is essential, ensuring you can pray with understanding and confidence. The practical steps I needed to achieve my goals became clear, and I executed them with greater energy, enthusiasm, and focus. The outcomes I desired started appearing before I even completed my plan.
So, if you find yourself facing a battle too big for you, instead of asking God to help you win, consider asking Him to either fight the battle for you or remove it altogether!