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.
|
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