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I love the song, Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel. Some of the lyrics say,
I raise a hallelujah
In the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah
Louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah
My weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah
Heaven comes to fight for me
Last Sunday, Pastor Tom talked about how when we worship, God goes to war on our behalf (Exodus 17 and Joshua 6).
In 2 Chronicles 20, we see another battle the Israelites must fight, and they are crying out to God for His help. After King Jehoshaphat leads them in prayer, and the Lord speaks through a priest to give them marching orders, and the following happens in verses 18-24:
18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures forever.”
22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
24 When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.
*****
What do you notice? How does this army head into battle? How did they prepare? They worshiped and praised. Who lead the army in verse 21?
Not the warriors with weapons to fight this war. But the worshipers. The worshipers lead the army into battle.
2 Chronicles 20:15, God says,
15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.
*****
When it comes to spiritual battles in our own lives, they are God’s battles. Our job is to worship through them.
Now read verses 16-17:
16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
*****
Worship contains the power of God to win the spiritual battles in our lives! What spiritual battles are you currently in the midst of? We can be encouraged by the words of this Scripture that God is with us.
If time allows, use 2 Chronicles 20 to pray about a current spiritual battle you are in.
- Reverence: Thank you Lord that this is YOUR battle and You are with me! You are victorious and I have nothing to fear. Your love endures forever!
- Response: Because of who You are, I will praise and worship You!
- Requests and confessions: I ask for your help, your wisdom in _________
- Readiness: I raise a hallelujah
In the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah
Louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah
My weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah
Heaven comes to fight for me