Overwhelmed and Powerless?
by Lisa Gregor
From scrolling through social media or watching the news, our country seems to be at a crossroads. We have foreign influences hacking away at our government and economy. There are rioters in the streets, burning and looting with no concern that there will be any action taken against them. Families are being terrorized in their homes and restaurants, with demands that they show “solidarity” with leftist groups. And across all strata of American life, anything smacking of Godly morals is being denigrated – abortions are sky-rocketing, there is a calculated attack being made on the nuclear family, gender identity and sexual orientation are considered “fluid,” and sexual perversion is being lauded in television and film. Oh, and did I mention there’s a pandemic on?! People are isolated, fearful, and in many cases, financially hurting.
It feels much as the writer of Psalm 83 must have felt when he penned these verses, “O God, do not remain quiet… For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, and those who hate You have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people and conspire together against Your treasured ones. They have said, ‘Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation…’”
It can be difficult keeping a positive outlook in the face of such seemingly overwhelming circumstances… Unless you remember history and have faith that God is in control. In reading through Kings and Chronicles, the history of God’s own physical, chosen people shows their continually poor choices, literally smacking God in the face with their pagan practices, barbaric behavior, and disobedience. And yet, every now and then, a handful of His people came to their senses, repented of their behavior, and prayed to the Lord – who heard and responded!
As a nation founded on Godly principles, as a people who claim a place in the spiritual family of God, how will we respond? In 2 Chronicles 20:11-12, God’s physical children saw a similar situation happening, and Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord, “… For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling pretty powerless right now! Even so, I have faith in the one who is Powerful!
Continuing in verse 15, the spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel, who told them, “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” And in verse 17 “ You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord... tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”
So, the people didn’t have to fight the battle, but they DID have a job to do. Finally, we are told that Jehoshaphat lead the people out, appointing them to sing to the Lord and praise Him, and they went out saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
The job of God’s people was and IS to be praying to and praising Him; giving thanks for what He has done and will do for His people!
This September 26th, Franklin Graham is calling for a Prayer March in Washington, DC. Regardless of how his doctrinal beliefs line up with mine, I believe he’s got the right idea. Remember in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God tells us that, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and… I will heal their land.”
We don’t have to feel powerless; we can do this much, and God will handle the rest.