Some 2800 years ago, long before the Pilgrims landed in America, a very nervous King Jehoshaphat found himself in the temple of the Lord, pleading for the life of his nation. The reports were terrifying – pagan armies were approaching, vastly outnumbering the army of Judah. The destiny of God’s people was at stake. So he prayed. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” The whole nation is waiting and listening for God’s answer. And it comes through the prophet Jahaziel.
“You will not have to fight in this battle. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” Jehoshaphat worshipped and so did the Levites, “with a very loud voice”. Then the King put the singers and praisers ahead of the army! What kind of military strategy is that? Who would have expected to win a battle by praise and worship? But they did! The sounds of praise put the Lord of Hosts into action, and every enemy was destroyed without the army lifting a finger. There was rest “on every side”.
What about our battles? Do we tend to pick up the “sword” of self-improvement, or do we stop, look and listen for the voice of the Lord? Do we wait, in fighting our battles, for God’s strategy? Could it be that when we lift our voices in praise, in spite of how dark and hopeless our circumstances seem, it will bring down the power of God?