When We Don't Know What to Do

“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.”
2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

With cooler weather arriving, my puppy, Gracie, and I have been enjoying our walks together. She's a small dog, still discovering the world around her.

On a particular stretch of sidewalk, several larger dogs are known for their booming barks. Without fail, Gracie freezes. Her tiny body tenses as those intimidating voices echo around us. She refuses to take another step forward, even though I can see the dogs are safely contained behind sturdy fences. When she looks up at me with those trusting puppy eyes, I scoop her into my arms, hold her close to my chest, and carry her. In my embrace, her trembling stops. When I set her down beyond the barking, she's ready to continue our adventure.

Walking with Gracie last week, I realized how much I mirror my little dog when facing life's uncertainties. I freeze up when fears loom large or when the chaos of our world grows deafening. I hesitate to step forward into the unknown. Yet Scripture shows me exactly what to do in those moments… look up to the One who sees what lies ahead.

King Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:12 has become my anchor when life feels unsteady: "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." These words emerged from a desperate moment when an overwhelming army threatened God's people. Faced with impossible odds, Jehoshaphat boldly brought his concerns before the Lord in front of everyone.

God's response reassured His people: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." (v. 15)

When uncertainty clouds your path, where do you turn your gaze, dear one? Do you fixate on troubling circumstances or the latest alarming headlines? Or do you lift your eyes to Jesus, the One who holds tomorrow in His hands?

Like Gracie finds safety in my arms, we can entrust our fears to our heavenly Father. He is completely trustworthy and infinitely more capable than anything we could imagine. When we don't know what to do, we can keep our eyes on Him.