2 Chron. 20:12
O our God, will you not judge them? For 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."
That is one of my favorite prayers in all of the Bible. “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you!”
The Lord’s response? “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
There is no promise in the Bible that we will not be faced with troubles and difficulties. Fact is, Jesus said we would have many tribulations. But there is a promise that is repeated over and over - the Lord will be with me always! Because that is true I can live with a sense of security – when it is all said and done everything is going to be all right. (See Romans chapter Eight)
Jehoshaphat gives us a great example as to how to face each and every situation in our lives - with a song of praise. The choir led the army singing, Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” The song was being sang on the way to the battlefield. At that moment they had no idea what was going to happen – only that God was with them and they were to take their positions in battle and stand firm. It was when they began to sing that the LORD released the armies of heaven to go to war.
In the New Testament, the book of Acts chapter 16 verse 25 we read of Paul and Silas in jail – and at midnight they were praying and singing hymns to God – and the power of God was released in a most unusual way.
1 Thes. 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
When we are afraid, we are called to praise.
When we are discouraged, we are called to praise.
When we face an enemy, we are called to praise.
And praise we can because we have the promise that God gave to Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah; “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”
Again this morning a song that I have sang over the years comes to mind in conjunction with the passage of scripture we have read today:
Praise The Lord by Brown Bannister and Mike Hudson
Verse 1
When you're up against a struggle
That shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been crushed
By Satan's manifested schemes
And you feel the urge within you
To submit to earthly fears
Don't let the faith you're standin' in
Seem to disappear
Chorus
Praise the Lord
He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praisePraise the Lord
For the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you
That they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him
Verse 2
Now Satan is a liar
And he tries to make us think
That we are paupers when he knows himself
We're children of the King
So lift up the mighty shield of faith
The battle has been won
We know that Jesus Christ is risen
And the work's already done
Chorus
Praise the Lord
He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord
For the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you
That they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him
Suggested Readings To Read Through The Bible In A Year
Thurs. July 7, 2011 2 Chron 20-21, Psalm 7, Prov. 7, Matt. 10
Fri. July 8, 2011 2 Chron. 22-23, Psalm 8, Prov. 8, Matt. 11
Sat. July 9, 2011 2 Chron. 24-25, Psalm 9, Prov. 9, Matt. 12
Sun. July 10, 2011 2 Chron 26-28, Psalm 10, Prov. 10, Matt. 13
Mon. July 11, 2011 2 Chron. 29-30, Psalm 11, Prov. 11, Matt. 14
Tues. July 12, 2011 2 Chron. 31-32, Psalm 12, Prov. 12, Matt. 15
Wed. July 13, 2011 2 Chron. 33-34, Psalm 13, Prov. 13, Matt. 16-17