What does "we do not know what to do" reveal about human limitations? Setting the Scene 2 Chronicles 20:12: “Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude that is coming against us; we do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” The Honest Confession • Judah’s king, Jehoshaphat, faces a vast coalition army. • Rather than mask fear with bravado, he openly admits helplessness. • The words “we do not know what to do” are not defeatist; they are truthful, humble, and faithful. What It Reveals About Human Limitations • Finite Understanding – Jeremiah 10:23: “I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; it is not in a man to direct his steps.” – Our intellect cannot chart every path or predict every threat. • Insufficient Strength – Psalm 147:10–11: “He does not delight in the strength of the horse… the LORD delights in those who fear Him.” – Physical resources and strategic savvy have limits; they cannot guarantee victory. • Dependence by Design – Psalm 103:14: “For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.” – God created humanity to rely on Him rather than to function as autonomous problem-solvers. • Moral Short-Sightedness – Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” – Even sincere plans can miss God’s righteous path without His guidance. Why Acknowledging Limits Matters • Opens the door to divine wisdom – James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… and it will be given to him.” • Shifts glory from self to God – 2 Corinthians 4:7: “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.” • Cultivates humility – 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may exalt you in due time.” Where to Turn When We Reach Our Limits • Fix the eyes on the Lord—“but our eyes are upon You.” • Trust His promises – Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.” • Seek His Word for direction – Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Wait for His intervention – Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.” Living This Truth Today • Admit need quickly—resist the urge to pretend competence where none exists. • Pray first, plan second—emulate Jehoshaphat’s sequence. • Measure success by obedience, not by self-reliance. • Celebrate victories as God’s deliverance, reinforcing dependence for the next challenge. |
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