Armed by the King

It’s so hard to know what to do. Life is complicated, and sometimes it can be hard to know if we’re doing the right thing. To know if we’re doing enough.

There are definitely times when we need to take action, but there are also times when there’s nothing we can do except get on our knees and pray. And when we as Christians come to God, the Holy Spirit helps us discern when it’s time to act—and how to act—and when it’s time to wait.

In Psalm 37, David urges his listeners to follow God’s good ways, and he says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him†(verse 7). Then in Psalm 131, David acknowledges there are some things that are beyond even a king, but he has found contentment as he hopes in the Lord. After all, who are we to think that we are better at taking care of any problem than God is? Who are we to believe that we can get everything under control?

God is the only One big and strong and powerful enough to take care of everything. God holds the world, and He knows all that’s going on in it. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Nothing is too big for Him to handle, because He’s already handled it through His death and resurrection. Even if we don’t see Him handling it right now, we can know that God is always at work (John 5:17) and He responds to the prayers of His people (Psalm 34:4; 145:18).

It can be hard to let God take care of the things that are beyond us. But sometimes this is the most important and best thing we can do. Often, the moments when all we know is our need for God are the moments our relationship with Him grows deeper. When we don’t know what to do or how we can make a difference, these are times when we need to look to God, and God alone, for help. And we can rest knowing God hears us and will help us. • Bethany Acker

• What are some of the complicated situations in your life right now?

• How might it be freeing to realize that God doesn’t expect you to know what to do on your own?

• What is one thing you can ask God about in prayer today?

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Isaiah 59; Ephesians 6:10-20