Jehoshaphat

My Monday night bible study group is studying Jehoshaphat this week. He was a king who prayed to the Lord before what seemed an impossible battle. The Lord's response: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the deliverance the Lord will give you."


I fight through my initial doubt. The prophecy was rendered when "the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, a Levite." Why should I trust this account? I have no way of knowing whether it's real or not. What do I know? That I only need to go along, believe and look for signs of God around me. I only need to let God show me that he is real, and that scripture is true.


What battles are ahead of me? I feel a sense of unrest about what I'm supposed to be doing with my writing. Still at sea. Waiting on God? Or just putting it off? Is it sloth, or am I legitimately protecting myself from becoming overwhelmed with too much to do? Lord, my motives aren't pure, and yet you love me and have a plan in mind for me. Please guide me there. What next? 


Kumon. This is a math drilling tutoring program. We had a backyard grill-out on Saturday night, and one of the couples, Ed and Robin, talked about Kumon. Lee wants Isabel and Lily to do it. It's expensive. It's tedious, boring, repetitive. I will have to be the one who implements it. And yet the benefits are indisputable. The children would be GREAT at math, a very important life skill.


Lee wants the children to do it, but he will let it fall away. He knows it's very expensive, and that will contribute to his passivity. The Kumon program will only happen if I make it happen.


Lord, I ask you: Should we go ahead with this? Is it right for our kids? Is it worth the money? I will look around me for signs of your answer. 




You are infinite, powerful, holy, loving. You are the center of everything. I look to you.


I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven^(A) and earth.^(B)

The Lord will keep you from all harm^(F)—
    he will watch over your life;
⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.^(G)