When I am facing a battle, praising God is not usually my first thought. Where do my thoughts often settle? Fear. While I am shaking in my boots, my next thought is “how will I fight this?”
In 2 Chronicles 20 King Jehoshaphat faced an impending battle. Messengers brought him news that war had been declared against Judah. Has a messenger (friend or foe) brought you news that war has been declared against you or your family? Have you been told something so devastating that you knew the battle was on?
What do we do with that kind of news? A good place to start is where Jehoshaphat began. “Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the Lord for guidance.” We pray. There have been times I have been so devastated, so blown away I just simply said help. When I couldn’t form a coherent thought, Jesus you know came.
Jehoshaphat recognized his limitations. “We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We don’t know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” Have you ever experienced that overwhelming feeling of powerlessness? I have. Your stomach is upset and you heart is about to beat out of your chest. You want to run. But you can’t. You desperately need a word from God. Jehoshaphat needed one also and God was faithful. “This is what the Lord says. Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” “But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you.”
Standing still while the battle rages seems so senseless. I mean really? My life is in turmoil and God wants me to be still. I want to be anything but still. Maybe, just maybe what needs to be still is within me. When reading the chapter I noticed that there was action. They prayed, fasted, gathered together and moved forward under God’s guidance. Then they sang. That’s right, they sang.
The Bible records that the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army singing and praising the Lord. “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!” Can you imagine walking into battle singing?
During a recent battle in my life, two dear friends reminded me I needed to praise God. I love these girls but I don’t mind telling you I wasn’t in much of a mood to sing. Hit something maybe, fight maybe but singing wasn’t on the list. What do you do when you know you need to praise God and you’re not feeling it? You choose obedience. When you can’t find your voice, you immerse yourself in the anointed singing of others. I created a playlist on my phone. Day after day I would listen and fill my mind and heart with worship music. Most of the words were like they came straight from my heart. When I was anxious I listened. When I couldn’t sleep, in went the ear buds. So many nights I drifted off to sleep listening to my playlist.
Verse 22 tells us at the moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies to start fighting among themselves. Praise during battle rattles our enemy. When the army of Judah arrived, the battle was over.
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| Praise during battle rattles our enemy. |
Sometimes the battle seems long. We want it over before we arrive. The anointed writers of the Bible have recorded many battles. Sometimes they were over before God’s children arrived, sometimes they were not. Praising God was always involved. I am learning to sing
Until we visit again…
Live blessed
Carmen
Thank you for sharing. I remember during one of the most trying times in my life I drew strength from an unlikely passage of scripture… Job. 13:15 in particular. Though he slay me, I will hope in him. Despite all that had happened in Job’s life, even when it seemed that God Himself was against him, he still chose to follow God. That level of commitment is both humbling and beautiful. Praise is one of the keys to unlocking Heaven… So keep on singing
Thanks Greg. Praising God during difficult times or simply just trusting God in difficult times takes faith. The more I trust Him, the more I realize I can. You are an encourager.