“We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” — Jehoshaphat, King of God’s People
Has your heart ever echoed what’s expressed above? You’re weary. You’re overwhelmed. You feel under attack. And you don’t have a single strategy or plan or idea about what to do. You just know something has to give–somehow this battle must be won.
God answered Jehoshaphat with courage-giving words and His response can encourage us, too. He tells the King to go and fight his enemies. And as the people prepare to go, Jehoshaphat does something interesting. He doesn’t put the warriors at the front. He puts the singers.
Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for His love endures forever.”As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
{2 Chronicles 20:21-22When the people arrived at what should have been a battleground, all they saw were bodies. The enemy had already been defeated. The threat eliminated. The victory won. The only thing to do was take the plunder and go home.
Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
{2 Chronicles 20:27}.
When you go out with praise, you come home with praise.
In this story the victory is instant and obvious. In our day-to-day battles the same might not be true. But here’s what is always true: Worship is an act of war. When we feel under attack, praise isn’t what we tend to think of first. We’re more likely to reach for our swords or run away in fear. But what if we paused and worshiped instead?
Then we’re not going into battle alone. We’re going with the God who spoke the universe into being fighting on our behalf. That changes everything. Because He never loses. Even when it looks like He’s been defeated, like when Jesus died on the cross, it was only a matter of time until His ultimate victory became clear.
What’s overwhelming you today? What’s coming against you? What situation is causing you to feel fear? Take a moment right now to say to God what Jehoshaphat did: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
Then worship.
And watch God work.
This battle will not be won not by your power but by God’s might. Nothing can defeat Him and He lives in you…that means nothing can defeat you either.
Now that’s a reason for praise today.
XOXO
P.S. The image above is a sneak peek of NEW (in)courage prints COMING SOON to DaySpring.com! Click here to share this image.
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I’m battle-weary this evening, and I needed this. So, thank you. 🙂
Holley,
I am battling severe and disabling back pain and also the enemy’s voice on top of it – he is so great at kicking us when we are down. Thank you so much for a fresh look at my life scripture (Psalm 40:1-3). I am reminded that I need to worship and let the Lord fight for me. He will lift me out of the mud and mire. He will give me a new song to sing. Worship in the face of war…I needed this!
Blessings to you,
Bev
Holley,
Thank you for sharing this! I have spent the last 12 months going through one challenge after another after the sudden death of my Dad. If it had not been for this scripture and praying it almost every single day, I have no how I would be standing here right now.
I’ve discovered the awesome truth that asking “why?” doesn’t help. But asking “Who are You, God, in all of this?” has been a tremendous blessing to me.
I can keep my eyes on Who is is!
Blessings,
Dori
Battling newborn exhaustion as well as the challenges of raising a child with some special needs. Thank you for this Biblical reminder. . . needed it today!
Brittnie ~
I will say a prayer of strength for you.
~ Dorothy
God will give you strength all you have to do is ask for it and pray and he will answer and before you know it the day will had done went by. Specially on this time it is so fast. it’s in God’s word that he will give you strength when you need it. This is found in the book of Isaiah Chapter (40) verse29 before you start your day pray in the Spirit and you will see the difference through out the day. Say this every day he gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might he increases power. You have to prepare your day before you get up and this puts God over everything before your day has started. Praise and Worship helps also. It will calm the children and make it a little easy on you. Call on the Name of Jesus and he will answer.
Your words met me on my path of defeat. I am pausing now to worship Him who will give me strength and courage to go on.
Thank you ~ Dorothy
Holley,
Such a great reminder. I know my first impulse is to worry when confronted with the overwhelming. God has been impressing upon me — especially lately — that I have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! I just have to call on His Holy Spirit. And I know that praise helps me to focus on Jesus and His great power instead of my circumstances, which He can surely handle!
I needed to read this today – thank you!
Praise the Lord! And Amen. Thanks Holley! Also pray for divine mercy!
Sweet comfort and reassurance in your words today! Thank you!
Please pray for me, and for my husband, David. I just found out that he has started doing crystal meth and so have asked him to leave the house. I’m terrified for us … for him … for me. After all we have struggled through this past year, I thought we were going to make it, but old friends of his opened the door for Satan to get in.
Cindi. We are holding you close for your strength! AB
Cindi,
Prayers for strength & courage to do right thing. May God give you the strength you need to deal with this and help defeat Satan!! 🙂
Sooo needed this…your words have also ‘met me on my path’ (love that phrase Dorothy). Letting the Doxology run through my head & heart now to lead the way today.
“When you go out with praise, you come home with praise.” I love this! This is a motto that my husband lives by and is always encouraging our family with.
And I am always amazed at the scripture above. So often I ask God the “why” questions. “Why me,” “why now,” “why so long…” This story is such a reminder that my eyes need to be continuously fixed on Him. And instead of asking “why” I will respond with “I don’t know why, but You do…and You will see me through this.”
Thank you for your encouraging words.
Bless! I am going to court on Tuesday for a real battle with my ex regarding custody. Thank you for this…God is using it to remind me that he’s got this and he’s with me.
Charlotte – I had and am having a different battle with my ex, but God gave me Exodus 14:14 which was such a comfort – The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. (NLT). Toni
Charlotte
Prayers for strength and courage to endure. May God cover you with His wings and bring peace to your soul!
Blessings 🙂
Hey Charlotte, Toni and Beth – joining you in prayer here in this sweet space. Know you’re not alone.
Awesome. I love this verse, but it’s been a while since I’ve read it. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention, Holley, and for putting new light on it. I guess it never dawned on me that the singers were placed at the head of the army. I thought more about how God has power over our enemies. Never thought of worship as an act of war. Amazing. I think I sing more in the fleeting moments of joy but I need to remember to sing even in the dark. This reminds me of something Martin Luther said – the devil hates praying and singing. Thank you for this comforting insight today, Holley. The battle is fierce at times, and I get so weary, but God is powerful.
Holly,
I am facing a “huge enemy” in my divorce court soon, and today’s devotional reassured me that if God would protect His children then, surely He will fight my enemy today – and
the text 2 Chr 20:15 is one of my favorite and one I seem to forget so easily – “the (my)
battle is not theirs but Mine!! A wonderful promise…
Lynda,
There is a song we sing at church “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”. It is so true. He can and will fight for you and give you the strength you need to endure this and other trials!
After reading this today, I went out walking with my dog and found this marching song. It brings me peace when I whisper it into the wind it in synch with my steps. Thank you Holley! You have blessed me.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
He is Holy and Just!
All Creation Cry Out
He is Mighty and Merciful,
Patient, and Kind!
Thank you Holley! I too have never thought of worship as an act of war. Now I understand a bit more why things seem to be such an uphill battle lately; I forever have a worship song playing in my mind.
Please pray for my dad as he tried to find a job; he has been out of a job since October and his unemployment ended today. I’m helping as much as I can but I can only do so much. If he doesn’t find a job soon, my parents will no longer be able to make their house payments.
I have seen stories like my parent’s a lot lately; I think God is trying to do something great among his people and Satan is trying very hard to quell that movement. Keep worshiping ladies! Keep worshiping! Satan is a defeated foe!
Ashley,
Prayers for a job for you dad. May God give him the best job ever and help them keep their home. Know that God has plans for you and your family. Keep on worshiping and praising God and good things will happen!
Thank you for writing this. I have been fighting an intense battle both physical and emotional. Lately I have just wanted to die. I wasn’t trusting that God would rescue me and help me. It seems too hard even as I face this coming week. When I read this I felt no praise in me, but I have started to praise God and thank Him for ways He has helped me in the past. I have no Hope but God. I pray that He would rescue me. I don’t know the answer and sometimes have feel no Hope.
Praying for you today, Rachel, that you would feel God’s hope and peace and mercy in the midst of whatever it is you’re facing — you’re not alone in this battle! Take heart, friend. 🙂
Amen. I am thankful I do not have to worry about holding the power to win the battle and that God’s might will get me through.
Dear Holley, thank you so much for this devotional. 2014 started with a bang of adversities, one after another, battling on few fronts and especially this month is intense with some legal issues. I felt battle weary and drained, nothing left to fight with and I was getting discouraged how I could keep holding on to the banner for the sake of my family. Then I read this devotional and right away I just stopped and unburdened my heart to the Lord and turning my cries to positive affirmations that He who has begun a good work in us will complete to the end, that He will fight with us. I pray the Lord will help me hold on to the weapon of praise and know He’s always there with us and not to feel abandoned, that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Lord bless each one on this post and may you bless each one with a song of praise every minute of the way.
I could not agree more. Psalm 5:3 says, “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” Remembering to look up and seek Him through worship is battle. It’s brings beauty straight to the battleground and fills us with renewed hope. I love this post today!
I love this story! It is so true that there is power in music worship.
I actually feel giddy – as weird as that may sound – at reading the quote above “Worship is an act of war against the enemy of our hearts.” I feel giddy and my pulse speeds when I read this story of Jehosephat and the armies. I feel giddy with the knowledge that our God has the victory.
I have experienced this to be true. I went through a horrible bit with panic attacks a few years ago – I say it was hellish, for lack of better description for it. BUT, God did amazing things during that time. Music played a huge role. I’d put on worship music DVDs and in my living room, sing, pace, pray, and at times fall to my knees. I had to put everything into God’s hands and let Him work. And work, He did. God is faithful. Music belongs to Him and He is glorified. 🙂
Between the recent death of my mother, foot surgery, and a stomach bug, I feel like I’m barely getting through my days. But regardless of my circumstances, He is still on His throne and is worthy of praise. Thank you for the reminder 🙂
Rom 15:13
I’m praying for you, Susan. Get well, my friend. May His peace envelope you today. Hugs and love to you. xoxo
I am a Worshiper & a Warrior of God!!!
Amen. I love this Holley. Thank you.
Thanks, Holly for this scripture. You give me hope. We’ve been dealing with my son’s drug addiction for a few years now and have gone to numerous programs. I thought he was on the road to recover but he’s in a detox facility right now and we don’t know where to turn for help. I must trust Jesus has him and he will surrender he’s only 18. I’ve lost my job and have spent most of our savings trying to help him so I will sing to The Lord. Bless you! you give us all so much strength.
Oh Cindy, God is with you sister. I can feel your pain. This story reminds us to be confident in God’s strength to fight for us. You are in my prayers lovely sister.
Holley, thanks again and again for encouraging us! You are amazing. God bless you.
Had a stem cell transplant six months ago. It’s time to go back to work. I ask God for the strength to get through the day/week, starting tomorrow March 3rd.
Can’t tell you how much I needed this today Holley. Thank you.
Keeping my eyes on Him,
Laura
Thank you for this great reminder from God’s Word…faced something hard this morning…it threatened to beat me down with discouragement, but as I stopped trying to battle and let Jesus take it…worshipping Him in spite of the hard thing…laying the hard thing down as offering at His feet…choosing to believe His truth…then my spirit began to lift in the light if His goodness. The circumstances didn’t change but my perspective did- thankful that He never changes- that He is able to do anything and that He walks with us in the heat of battle.
This really spoke to me because after the past 15 years of seemingly never-ending battles, I’ve stepped out toward the life God designed for me to live and have faced a whole new set of battles. This new direction has brought me to focus on healing and restoration, necessary to free me for what God has planned for me. About a month ago, I had a wonderful breakthrough day…I found myself singing songs of my heart to the Lord. This took me back to my childhood and teen years, during which I roamed the house singing praise and worship songs to God. Here’s an old favorites, the 70s Imperials’ recorded song “Praise the Lord” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfTQg9whI-s&feature=kp It always encouraged me by reminding me to praise God and then also to enter into worship. I know the battles are not over, but I am grateful to be restored to a point that P & W are naturally flowing out of me. I am grateful too for the reminder of how important worship is in warfare. Thanks, Holley! Blessings!
This is so true. But we also have to be prepared that when we worship our way through the battle, the heat turns up on us. The enemy doesn’t like it. May sure your armor is well and truly fastened and keep on singing praises.
Thank you for the reminder of who truly fights our battles for us! Blessed be the name of the Lord most high!
Yes! As we are going through the adoption process, we hit walls and just don’t know what to do. We just lift our eyes to Him – and mountains continue to be moved! It’s all Him.
Music has always been a huge part of my prayer life. I often sing songs that come to mind as I pray scripture. It is powerful and has the ability to change my attitude, calm my emotions, lead me into deeper worship. A song that’s been on a loop in my mind is Christy Nockels A Mighty Fortress is our God http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT6qiTVhN0M. God has been bringing scriptures to mind that support the lyrics of this song – scriptures that refer to Him as a fortress, refuge and shelter. I LOVE the idea the worship is an act of war. We need to remember that the enemy IS at war with us but we also need to remember that He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.
As I read through the comments today and saw so many sisters going through some really difficult things, I just wanted to offer a prayer…Gracious Lord – thank you for the gift of praise and worship. Help us to remember this powerful weapon in the war against the enemy. It’s a balm for our souls, a way to express our sorrow when we’re so weary we struggle to search for words and a way for us to share our joys. So many on this page are hurting today Lord. Jesus, we know you hear the cries of the heart from the mothers fighting for their children – in court, over addiction, for their salvation, the wives struggling to keep their marriage together or pleading for your protection from abuse, the daughters whose hearts break for the issues of their parents, the singles who long to find a husband, the women dealing with health or employment issues or the death of a loved one. Nothing in our lives is a surprise to you Father. We know you are in control. You fight for us…you have commanded us to be strong and courageous. Your right hand holds us fast and you hem us in behind and before. Thank you that you are a refuge and stronghold. Thank you that you have equipped us for victory. I ask that my hurting sisters would feel your love in real and tangible ways this coming week as they enter the courtroom, the hospital, the boardroom and the home. Lord thank you that you are bigger than our problems…big and awesome and everywhere…but near enough to see and meet each of our needs as you whisper “I am with you child” in our ear. Thank you for all you have done and all you will do. In your Holy and precious name I pray Jesus. Amen
Thanks for sharing Katie. Thats exactly what I need to remember. And it also helps that I have a good support system in my home with my husband. He lets me cry on his shoulder to get it all out and prays over me.
Amen. Thank you Toni.
Beautiful reminder friend!! And love the new print!!
This very scripture got me through the most terrible time in my life 6 years ago! We were going through some horrible things with our son and I felt like they would never get better, but I read this passage several times daily along with others. Slowly they did improve and 6 years later I can look back and see what miracles God did do!!!!!!
Sweet Holley, I praise God for this reminder.
Yes! Praise and worship changes the very atmosphere around us, within us, especially this song… When our grandson, Colton, heard the song, “Jesus At The Center,” he said, “I like that song!” http://bethwillismiller.blogspot.com/2014/02/joyjesus-at-center-of-my-life.html
Oh hallelujah. What a wonderful reminder for me. I just need to sing and praise my Lord and He will do the rest for me. I am committed to doing just that. I have decided that nothing will take away the song from my mouth. In the past, it used to be tears, sighs and groanings but I have decided that it is gong to change. Thank you for strengthening this resolve in me. My life these past years seems to be moving from one challenge to the othere. I used to sit and ask myself all types of questions; why, why, why. But now, no more whys. Only songs and praises and dance. The devil will be ashamed and leave me alone. Glory be to God in the highest.God bless you abundantly. You are a real blessing to me on this site.
Holley! This is awesome! I love when one of your blog posts encourages me on into something I’m facing… but you know what I love more? When it reaffirms (or even reveals for the first time) what he’s done for me in things I’ve already gone through – as in JUST gone through – and I can say “YES! She’s right! It happens just like that!”
(PS: I came in from your blog. Love that you had time to be filled up and loved on over the weekend.)
Much needed words this day, friend. (One of my most favorite stories.) The battle is getting long…but continuing to praise Him in the storm.
Thank you so much for sharing these truths. Wow! I am a battle weary mom of a beautiful 17 year old gal. Sometimes I am so lost,angry, confused, frustrated and experiencing other emotions in this relationship, but I do know praise is a weapon. May we all be strengthened in our inner men to quickly take out that weapon and put it to use/work. Thank God for His strong righteous right hand that upholds us, and for sisters in Christ like you to share their encouragement with us.
This happened yesterday to me during praise & worship! So overcome with a family concern and we clapped through the God of Angel Armies and two other upbeat praise songs and then a worship song, the name of it I cannot even remember – it rendered me down on my chair, arms lifted high telling the Lord “I cannot do this alone – I am a fighter and I will fight for this situation but I NEED YOU to stand with me.” Beautiful post today.
POWERFUL! Awesome!!! Love you!
Holley,
Thank you for this uplifting scripture. I’ve had a busy year thus far. January saw me nearly every week going to various appointments with my dad and getting numerous texts and phone calls some at 6:30am to get my dad moved into an assisted living. Praise God my oldest sister and I got it done. More praise no snow on the day of moving plus selling his car quickly!!
I am reminded of the scripture from Zephaniah 3:17 “He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
I find it hard to believe that God would sing over me. In times of stress and trials I listen to Christian music and sing praise back to God!
Thanks for a great great post!! Blessings 🙂
I just found your blog in a roundabout way. And I’m pretty sure that it was the hand of God leading me. I have been battling crazy with fear the last four weeks. And I (silly me!) have done everything but worship. I have been so paralyzed and crippled by all the lies whirling chaotic around me that just clinging to the Truth has been a feat. And this…THIS…is what I haven’t done…I have prayed and read and prayed and cried and prayed some more…but worship changes the direction of my eyes and of my heart. And that changes everything doesn’t it!!??? “[I] do not know what to do, but [my] eyes are on You.” That will be my new song. Thank you for reminding me.
Thank you for your unique perspective on this. I loved reading these verses through someone elses eyes. And I love the challenge to worship when we’re feeling under attack. It’s definitely something I need to be doing more of right now in my life. I will say that we do crank up the worship music somedays, and it truley lightens the mood aroudn the house. Our focus turns to Jesus, where it belongs 🙂
Friends, after being out of town yesterday I’m catching up on your comments. Thank you for sharing your hearts here. I’m grateful for your encouragement and praying for those of you in the midst of battles right now!
Hi Holley,
Wonderful reminder, but one of the hardest parts of faith. Praise God for this post!!!
To all the ladies who left a comment.
“Courageous Counsellor, be with these women as they “fight” through their struggles. Give them Hope, Peace and Love. Wrap your arms around them Jesus, so that they may feel your abiding comfort and healing in the days and weeks ahead. Amen.”
Love and Blessings, Sandy
Today, I went to the beach front with myy children. I found
a ssea shell and gaqve it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She puut the shell to her ear and
screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched herr ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off
topic but I had to tell someone!
Hi Holley. I just read this post and i cant tell you what a wonderful and timely reminder of worship. It is so difficult to even think about praise n worship in weary situations like i am in right now but i thank God who has reminded me thru you what i ought to do. So thank you and bless u.
HI Holley… thanks for this… I am commenting on looking for some support and hoping that the article “When Mother’s Day is hard” was something that would help. I’ve searched for it and cannot find it. I was hoping to find some way to prepare for the upcoming event this May as my husband and I face another childless mothers’ day.
Please come into prayer agreement with me for the manifestation of healing from anxiety/panic and depression… I have battled this condition before, but never to this level… It literally feels as if I am grieving the loss of my entire family in a auto accident…. I know that if God delivered me from this before He can, will, and wants to deliver me from it again… Thank you & God Bless.