Rearrange Your Army

There’s this great story in the Old Testament. Jehoshaphat (Je – hoe – show – fat), the King of Judah, is invaded by not one or two, but three foreign powers. 2 Chronicles says that Jehoshaphat was “alarmed” – the Bible is full of understatements like these: three powerful nations in alliance to destroy 2 of the tribes of Israel, and Jehoshaphat is “alarmed.”

The King calls together all of the people and standing before the temple of the Lord commands the people fast and pray to the Lord for help. Jehoshaphat prays this marvelous prayer (2 Chron. 6-12) in which he praises God and reminds God of all of the promises God made to His people. And the end of his prayer is brilliant – “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”

Jehoshaphat hears a word from the Lord commanding him to gear up for battle and face these enemies. It’s here that Jehoshaphat does something no other successful military commander has ever dared. Instead of positioning cavalry or infantry or even medics at the front of the army, Jehoshaphat places a choir singing “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His steadfast love endures forever.”

The Bible says that the three invading armies turn on each other and in the fighting amongst themselves, all three were destroyed. But Jehoshaphat and his choir didn’t know this – imagine the fear in the alto section as the choir comes to the crest of the last hill….

And then imagine the joy as everyone realizes what the Lord has done for His people! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His steadfast love endures forever!

Maybe you feel like you’re facing an enormous battle. Like three powerful nations have ganged up on little-old you. Maybe you feel like you have “no power to face this vast army that is attacking you.” Rearrange your forces. Put your choir first. Sing to the Lord a new song.

~ by sholander on September 14, 2009.