Our human side often means we like to take control of things. The only problem with it is that sometimes this is at odds with what God wants to do. God’s plan can even seem counter-intuitive at first, but as Isaiah 55:8-9 puts it:
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Israel’s won its great battles by allowing God’s will to be done. In 1 Chronicles 19, the new king of Ammon had made the King of Israel (David) an enemy and hired 32,000 chariots, plus an army from Syria, plus his own army to attack. David sent Joab to lead the Israelite army there. Joab found himself and the Israelites hemmed in from the front and rear, so what did he do? He split the army, and said to his brother, Abishai:
13 Be strong and courageous! Let’s fight hard for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord’s will be done‘.
That day, Israel was victorious. Despite the situation, Joab’s attitude was spot on! What he said even formed part of the Lord’s Prayer much later: Your Will Be Done. He acknowledged that God may have wanted a different outcome than the one he wanted! When you’re in a tough spot, be strong and courageous, try your best, and the difficult part: Let the Lord’s will be done.