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Scripture teaches us that the stories in the Bible are given to us as an example. We can learn both what to do and what not to do from the lives of many Bible characters. So who can we learn from when we need a lesson in trusting God against overwhelming odds?

Jehoshaphat.

Jehoshaphat trusted God. Be like Jehoshaphat.

Who in the world is Jehoshaphat?

You probably don‘t remember him from any recent sermons or Sunday School lessons, but as I read my First 5 (free app of daily devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries) devotion a couple weeks ago, his story spoke to my heart in my circumstances that day. Maybe his story will encourage you as well.

Jehoshaphat was king of Judah—one of the few who followed the God of his ancestor King David. When three large armies gathered to destroy his people, he didn’t panic. He called for fasting and sought the Lord. God promised to fight the battle, but he still had to go out prepared.

With faith in God’s Word, Jehoshaphat chose singers to praise God ahead of the army. God caused his enemies to turn on each other, so that the army of Judah found only dead soldiers at the camp and great spoil.

You’ve got to read the whole story in 2 Chronicles 20!

These are a couple of my favorite verses from the passage:

O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. (vs. 12)

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. (vs. 17)

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy enduresforever.” Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. (vs 21-22)

Although the circumstances were overwhelming, Jehosaphat chose to trust the Lord.

As we approached our 8 year old daughter‘s open heart surgery in May of 2020, it was easy to be filled with fear. Even without the added risk of a global pandemic, thinking of your child going through such things is difficult. One of my main concerns was being alone in the waiting room during the surgery. The hospital was only allowing one parent to be present due to Covid-19. We prayed and I tried to prepare mentally to face an uphill battle with the hospital policy.

The day I read about Jehosphat, we were supposed to hear back from the doctor’s office. I had asked friends and family to pray. The call was disappointing. First, the doctor we had spoken with originally was no longer available, and they said only one of us could be present. I reluctantly confirmed the date with a different surgeon, then asked to speak to whoever had the authority to make decisions about our presence. The nurse started the official appeal, and we waited for a phone call that I expected to bring out “mama bear” or at least tears. Patient Service finally called. Our appeal was approved, my husband and I were both allowed, and surgery went great! We are so thankful!

God answered the situation with my daughter’s heart surgery like we hoped, but he also recently answered differently that I asked, and my dad went to be with Jesus. That’s why trusting God against overwhelming odds is so hard. We don’t always know or like His perfect plan.

As we ALL begin our new normal during a continued pandemicwith no clear end in sight, we can easily be overwhelmed. As you face difficult circumstances right now, no matter the cause, anxiety creeps in too quickly.