Sing Your Way Through

II Chronicles 20

Dear God,

I read the stories of deliverance of the great heroes of the faith. The Biblical record is replete with those who trusted You against insurmountable odds. 

King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, arch-enemies of the Hebrews. The opposing tribes had banded their forces together in an effort to topple Judah. The royal court gathered. Fear and apprehension lined each face. One of Your choice prophets, Jahaziel, stepped forward with a word from You. 

"Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, 'Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you'” (II Chronicles 20:14-17). 

Upon hearing this bold prophecy, King Jehoshaphat recognized it as from God, and fell facedown on the floor in worship. Others followed suit. It was apparent that You were orchestrating miraculous deliverance for your people. 

The next day, King Jehoshaphat ordered the Levitical choir into battle, not as warriors, but as singers, extolling the beauty of God's holiness. At the sound of holy song, Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir turned and destroyed one another in a bloodbath. 

This story reminds me of my friend, Carlene. At her funeral, her son said that Carlene suffered from CHSS--Chronic Hymn Singing Syndrome. She did! I loved hearing Carlene's lilting voice as she walked the halls of our workplace. Thank You for her friendship and example.

Lord, I am facing some battles that I cannot fight my way through. Teach me to sing my way through them. Teach me that I am not the one who fights and wins my battles. You are. Help to always praise Your holiness, and give You glory for every battle won. Thank You.

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Amen.