“The Moabites and Ammonites and Meunites came against Jehoshaphat for battle… Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord… Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord…
“Jehoshaphat… said [to the assembly], ‘O Lord, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all kingdoms. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you… Behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir…[are] coming to drive us out of your possession… O God,.. we are powerless against this great horde… We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.’
“Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord… The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel… He said, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Do not be afraid [or] dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them… You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm,.. and see the salvation of the Lord…” The Lord will be with you.’
“Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah… fell down before the Lord, worshiping. And the Levites… stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
“They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established;.. you will succeed!..’ He appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him as they went before the army, and say,
“’Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures forever.’
“When they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir… so that they were routed.
“Then they returned… to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies…. with harps and lyres and trumpets.” 2 Chronicles 20:1,3-6,10-22,27-28
Godly King Jehoshaphat was committed to God’s ways, and so delighted in them that even in trepidation, he advanced his armies with song. God was His praise! Through Bible history, astounding accounts abound of victory borne of song. While most battles are described by military strategy and taking up of arms, it was not uncommon for the Lord to defeat enemy armies, collapse the walls of wicked cities, break prisoners’ chains, and humble rebel hearts with the robust confidence and melodious joy of praise. (Joshua 6:8-20; Psalm 22:3; 43:4; Acts 16:22-35)
Many are the fortified walls in our lives, structures we build from shame and regret, fear, relationships broken by misunderstandings and unmet expectations and selfishness, bodies broken by the sad residue of the fall. We pursue an array of therapy, self-help gurus, pills, and other substances, but seldom accept the prescription of song.
The Bible is replete with examples of the power of music to allay formidable and destructive enemies. Evil spirits, cruel nations, and even despondency have been conquered by song. Why do we discount this glad and potent antidote, opting instead for other defenses, excuses, and ‘cures’? (Exodus 15:1-13; 1 Samuel 16:23; Psalm 42:5-11)
What are we combating today? Spiritual malaise or lack of direction? Anxiety over unwanted changes or the unknown ahead? Pesky attitudes or rabid temptations that we cannot evade? To battle! Sing a new song! To sing to God and praise His attributes establishes us in grateful victory. (Psalm 33:1-3; 96:1-4; Isaiah 42:10-12)
Lord, may I face every battle by singing to You who are worthy of trust and praise.
As the rain and snow 