“[Abijah] reigned for three years in Jerusalem… Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam…
“’You think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David, because you are a great multitude and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made you for gods. Have you not driven out the priests of the Lord.., and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes for ordination with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of what are not gods. But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the Lord who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service. They offer to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken him. Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.’
“Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to come upon them from behind. His troops were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. And when Judah looked, behold, the battle was in front of and behind them. And they cried to the Lord, and the priests blew the trumpets. Then the men of Judah raised the battle shout. And when the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. The men of Israel fled before Judah, and God gave them into their hand… They relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers.” 2 Chronicles 13:2,8-16,18b
Abijah’s reign in Judah is marked by a raised voice. With armies opposed and enemy troops prepared to ambush, he found successful resistance in words of truth and pleas to God. Defenses were set based on God’s promises, and deliverance was won with a battle shout to the Lord. God on high hears and heeds the cries of His people! (Psalm 34:17; 50:15)
Today’s culture is set at high volume for argument, attack, cursing, all variety of verbal battle. We howl about our complaints, we shout for our causes, we berate those we hate. But the Lord would hush us to see that the only shouting He sanctions is the bold proclamation of His truth and scrying aloud to Him in prayer and praise. (Psalm 98:4-9; 107:6)
What habitual or impulsive fighting words would God obliterate from us? Will we confess the root causes of pride, selfishness, greed, resentment, and our tight-fisted right to hold on to them? When will we allow the Lord to uproot these pesky enemies, and how can we replace them with words of affirmation, gratitude, holy surrender?
Our victories in this life are won in Christ the Victor. Are we giving Him room and free rein to reign so we can win life’s battles in confident joy? How might we be an example to those who follow us? Where are we shouting His glories and praises so all can hear and echo their truths, and overcome? (2 Chronicles 14:11-12)
Father, fill my mouth with prayer and praise, and may every victory be unto Your glory.
As the rain and snow 