I have been reading my way through I Chronicles for the last several weeks; following along with the First 5 app, by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Some of the genealogy lists are long and seem tedious. However, I have come to realize, that each person is mentioned for a reason. I don't always grasp the significance, but these were real people who lived in real-time, long ago, and I will get to meet them in heaven. We will spend eternity together. That kind of blows my mind and maybe these genealogies are like a first introduction so I can recognize them.

Another part of I Chronicles is chronicling or relating the stories of David. Chapter 19 tells the story of King David sending ambassadors to the Ammonites, who in turn didn't receive them, shamed them by shaving their beards, cutting their robes and sent them back to David. Then the Ammonites realized how they angered David so they gathered silver to appease him and gathered their troops. When David heard about all this commotion, he sent Joab, his military commander, to fight the Ammonites. 

The Scripture describes in several verses how Joab gathered his men and then tucked away in v. 12-13 Joab says, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to Him.” (ESV, emphasis mine)

I have been chewing on this thought for a few days now. Be strong - courageous, powerful, competent. Joab wanted them to use their strength to help their neighbors be safe. But, yet, Joab acknowledged the power of God's sovereignty, His supreme power and authority to "do what seems good to Him." Joab went into the battle not knowing the outcome, but He trusted God!

That's what struck me. When I am in a battle or facing a decision, I want to know the outcome. I want to know things are going to be ok. I want to see the future. I love what Denise Hughes shared in the First 5 app, "When we find ourselves in a really difficult situation, we don't have to know the outcome before we move forward. Instead, we can pray the words of Joab and say, ..."May the Lord do what seems good to Him." 

So many times I feel stuck with indecision. How can I move forward when I don't know how it will turn out? What if I pick the wrong one? What if I want to do something different? Can I trust God and put my life in His hands? 

You know what? God knows all of my fears and failures. He doesn't ask me to be perfect; He wants me to trust - to be reliant on His integrity, His strength, His ability; to have a confident expectancy and hope in Him. (my paraphrase from definitions on dictionary.com) He is faithful! He always has my best interest in His mind and heart. I can grasp His hand and walk with Him because I know He loves me! God has been trustworthy in the past and He will continue to be in the future. I can wait on Him and watch Him "do what seems good to Him". I can put my decisions, my battles, and my life in His hands and live one day at a time. 

May you be blessed by this song from Sandy Patty. It was released almost 40 years ago (yikes, am I that old?), but the simple truth is still needed today!

"In His hand, there's only safety
Nothing there can touch you except Him
Bring your burdens and all your failures
Lay them down and rest here in His hand."