“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)
“God, I need help! I can’t handle this anymore. In fact, I’m not even sure I can handle driving home.”
This was the prayer I sobbed as I sat in my car, trying to process the phone call I’d just received. I thought a lengthy, painful legal situation was finally behind me. But then my phone rang. A new appeal had been filed, and it felt like the battle was starting all over. There was a strong possibility I would end up in court again. And the worst part? I couldn’t fix the situation because I had absolutely no control over it. I didn’t know what to do.
Feeling powerless and overwhelmed is not a comfortable place to be. However, that uncomfortable place is where God can do some really important work within us.
Once we accept that we have no control, we can lay our burden into the hands of the One who is in control of everything: our Lord, who is all-powerful and perfectly good!
In 2 Chronicles 20:1-12, we meet King Jehoshaphat, who learned a huge horde of warriors was coming to attack Jerusalem. Furthermore, these enemies were already in Hazazon-tamar, just 25-35 miles away. There was no time to prepare Judah’s armies for a battle. Talk about feeling helpless!
So what happened? Well, King Jehoshaphat prayed. He admitted the people of Judah were powerless against their enemies and they didn’t know what to do. Most importantly, though, Jehoshaphat and the people focused their eyes on God, the One who did know what to do:
“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
God destroyed that horde of enemies, and the armies of Judah never even had to fight! The people sang and worshipped while the Lord caused all the enemy warriors to destroy one another (2 Chronicles 20:19-24).
After that discouraging call from my attorney, I felt a little like King Jehoshaphat. I had no idea how to proceed … but God did. Unexpectedly, the legal hurdles were cleared without the need for me to enter the courtroom again. God handled the “army” that was threatening my peace.
When we don’t know what to do, we always have somewhere to turn. Jesus invites all of us who are suffering under heavy burdens to come to Him, and He gives us rest (Matthew 11:28). Sometimes “rest” means the Lord graciously deals with our enemies for us, as He did for Jehoshaphat. Sometimes it means He walks through our struggles with us. Either way, we can rely on His never-ending presence, power, and goodness.
Lord, thank You for being a good Father who never leaves us to fight our greatest trials alone. When we feel helpless, remind us that You are our rest and our peace. We are grateful that You are always in control and always working for our good and for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Connect with Katrina in the First 5 app, on her website, and on Instagram @seekinghimaboveallelse.
John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (ESV).
2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (ESV).
What difficult circumstance do you need to release into God’s hands rather than trying to control it on your own?
Write a prayer asking God to help you give that situation over to Him so you can find rest in His peace and power. And share your thoughts with us in the comments!
© 2026 by Katrina Rolen. All rights reserved.
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