The Bible in a Year
“Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” — 2 Chronicles 20:12
There are moments in life when we run out of answers. We have prayed, analyzed, worried, planned, and still stand staring at a problem larger than our strength. That is where Jehoshaphat found himself in 2 Chronicles 20. Judah was surrounded by enemies from Ammon, Moab, and Edom. Militarily, the situation looked hopeless. Strategically, there seemed to be no solution. Yet in the middle of fear and uncertainty, Jehoshaphat prayed one of the most honest prayers in Scripture: “We have no might against this great company… neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
I appreciate the honesty of that prayer because it reflects the reality many believers quietly carry in their hearts. We often feel pressure to appear strong, confident, and composed. Yet throughout Scripture, God repeatedly responds to those who admit their weakness and seek His help. The apostle Paul later echoed this same truth when he wrote, “For when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:10). God’s power often becomes clearest when human ability reaches its limit.
Jehoshaphat’s prayer begins by confronting wickedness. The invading nations had returned evil for good. Israel had once spared these nations during the Exodus journey, yet now they came against Judah with violence. Jehoshaphat cried, “Wilt thou not judge them?” The king understood something important: vengeance belonged to God. Matthew Henry observed that “injuries done to God’s people are resented by Him as done against Himself.” Evil may seem unchecked for a season, but Scripture consistently reminds us that God sees injustice clearly. Nations rise and fall, rulers gain power and lose it, but Divine judgment remains certain. That truth steadies the heart when the world appears chaotic.
The prayer then moves into weakness. Jehoshaphat openly confessed Judah’s inability. They lacked military power and practical wisdom. That admission is difficult for human pride. We naturally want control, solutions, and certainty. Yet many of God’s greatest works begin when His people finally admit they cannot save themselves. Moses stood helpless before the Red Sea. Gideon faced overwhelming armies with only a small band of men. The disciples stared at five thousand hungry people with only loaves and fish. Again and again, Scripture teaches that God is not limited by human insufficiency. Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “God is too good to be unkind and too wise to be mistaken.” That insight reminds me that even when I cannot understand His ways, I can still trust His character.
But the turning point of this passage is worship. “But our eyes are upon thee.” Jehoshaphat shifted his attention away from the enemy and toward the Lord. That is not denial; it is faith. The Hebrew mindset behind seeking God involved dependence, expectation, and surrender. Instead of collapsing into despair, Judah gathered to pray. They turned their faces toward Heaven before lifting their swords toward battle. What followed was remarkable. God fought for Judah in such a way that the enemy armies turned against one another. The battle was won not through human brilliance but through Divine intervention.
I find this deeply encouraging because many of our modern battles cannot be solved merely by intellect, finances, or effort. There are family burdens, spiritual struggles, griefs, anxieties, and uncertainties that force us into the same place as Jehoshaphat. We come to the realization that our strength is insufficient. Yet that realization can become the doorway to worship rather than defeat. When our eyes remain fixed on the problem, fear grows larger. When our eyes turn toward God, perspective changes.
As we continue this journey through the Bible together, 2 Chronicles 20 reminds us that seeking God is never a last resort for the believer; it is our first line of defense. Prayer is not weakness. Dependence on God is not surrendering to defeat. It is positioning ourselves to witness His wisdom, timing, and power at work in ways we could never accomplish alone. Sometimes the most spiritual words we can pray are simply these: “Lord, I do not know what to do, but my eyes are upon You.”
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