Verston is not his real name, but he has a real Ph.D. in engineering, and his business skills are better than his technical skills. Verston owns a company and has a son in youth group. More than impressive, Verston is intimidating. Not that Verston sought to strike terror in youth workers, he simply did by his resume and reputation.

I — armed with the gospel, good will and a clear calling that I intended to meet — should not fear Verston. My background is in business and engineering; I should not hesitate to talk with Verston about his son. Still, my blood pressure indicated otherwise as I pulled into the Starbucks parking lot.

Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, found himself besieged by of a bunch of armies coming to take him and Jerusalem captive. Similarly, the Lord puts challenges into our lives; although we don’t have to fight off armies, meeting with parents can be stressful.

In the time of Jehoshaphat, Jahaziel was the prophet who delivered the Lord’s message: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you'” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

The Lord told Jehoshaphat the battle was not his, but God’s. However, Jehoshaphat was to go to the place where he would see the deliverance the Lord would give him. The Lord provided victory for Jehoshaphat. Likewise, Verston and I had a great time at Starbucks talking about auto manufacturing.

We shouldn’t be surprised about the Lord’s faithfulness, but Jehoshaphat witnessed the Lord’s deliverance only after he had gone out to the Desert of Jeruel. Similarly, I saw Verston as a great guy only after I set up our meeting and met him at Starbucks.

The Lord provides for us, but we often see His deliverance only after we make the phone call we dread making or send that email we don’t want to send or go to Starbucks in faith.