VII.
When the King and people of Judah are looking for a way to victory over their foes is it reassuring to hear,

“The battle is not for you to fight …”

VIII.
2 Chronicles 20:13-20 (NRSVue)

Meanwhile, all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then the spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly. He said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you: Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them; they will come up by the ascent of Ziz; you will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

Then Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. And the Levites of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa, and as they went out Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God and you will be established; believe his prophets and you will succeed.”

IX.
Do you think the King wanted to hear, “… take your position, stand still …”?

Or did he want to know how to win the battle?

I suspect a lot of us have a hard time hearing we need to “stand still.” And maybe also to trust God for the victory. After all, don’t we want to stand up for ourselves?

Can you recall a time when waiting and/or “standing still” was a better way of dealing with a difficult situation than trying to force a victory with your own power?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}