Worship is the gateway to victory in the Christian’s life. Over and over in Scripture, we see the emphasis on worshiping God, even in the midst of great difficulty. I love the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. It’s an incredible example of the power of worship in fighting our battles.
After finding out about a vast army coming up against his kingdom, King Jehoshaphat and the people humbled themselves and fasted, and sought the Lord for help and wisdom. Read this gripping story with me now:
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said:
“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’”
“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 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 on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:1-12)
Can you imagine this great scene? We can learn so much from Jehoshaphat! I love how he chose to praise God, even when he and all of the people were alarmed and afraid. He spoke the truth of the magnificent power of God to fight this great battle, and he also spoke to God about their full reliance on Him. He said, “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 on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Jehosophat was honest with God about his need for help, and look at what happened next:
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, who spoke saying, “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)
What an incredible word from God for King Jehoshaphat and all the people! He told them they would not have to fight this battle. He would fight it for them! Then look at what the King did next:
After consulting the people, 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.” (2 Chronicles 20:21)
Wow! Look at that! The king chose to activate his faith and trust in God by sending out the worshipers in front of the army on the way to the great battle. He didn’t send skilled swordsmen or archers. Instead, he sent the worshipers. And then look at what God did! It’s my favorite part of the story. “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 20:22). The Word says, “As they began to sing and praise” [emphasis mine], God began to fight for them!
Sweet mom, do you have battles where you feel as Jehoshaphat did when he said, “We don’t know what to do but our eyes are on you”? Do you feel helpless in your fight? I feel the Holy Spirit wants me to point you to the truths of this passage. When you are facing trouble, humble yourself and cry out to God for help. Raise your voice and praise the Lord for His great power and might over your situation. Admit your need for His help, and then worship your way to victory.
The victory may not come as speedily as it did for Jehosophat, but believe me, it will come, and your faith will be strengthened in the process. Humble yourself and seek the Lord. Ask Him if there are any changes He wants you to make in your life. What are the areas where you need to obey? How does He want to work in this situation? When God speaks to you, don’t argue with Him. His answer may be the same one He gave to Jehoshaphat when He told him, “You will not have to fight this battle” (2 Chronicles 20:17a). God may want you to stop fighting and simply rest and let Him fight this battle for you. And while you wait and march out into your life each day, He wants you to worship Him.
This is how God works in my life. When I am in the midst of an intense battle where I am powerless to change the situation, God tells me to simply be still. He wants me to stop fighting—stop talking, stop wanting my way, and simply rest and let Him fight for me.
During these intense seasons of my life, the following songs have meant so much to me. I wanted to share them with you to use during your “Thanksgiving, Praise, and Worship” time with God. Find one of these songs on the internet, and worship your anxiety and fears away. Let God fight for you as you sing. Then go about your day, expecting God to work in your situation, no matter how long it takes. Choose to be like Jehoshaphat and humble yourself, and you will be amazed at the peace you feel in your heart. Stop fighting, my friend, and place the situation in your caring and powerful Heavenly Father’s capable hands.
Here are some of my favorite worship songs:
- “Holy, Holy, Holy” hymn by various recording artists
- “Holy Spirit” by Francesca Battistelli
- “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin
- “Great are You Lord” by Casting Crowns
- “In Christ Alone” by Phillips, Craig, and Dean
- “How Great Thou Art” hymn by various recording artists
- “Great I AM” by Jared Anderson
- “Here I am to Worship” by Michael W. Smith
- “Is He Worthy” by Chris Tomlin
- “Build My Life” by Housefires
- “I Raise a Hallelujah” by Bethel Music
- “I Don’t Wanna Go” by Chris Renzema
- “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by Michael W. Smith
- “Word of Life” by Jeremy Camp
- “Isn’t He (This Jesus)” by Natalie Grant
- “Here in Your Presence” by New Life Worship
- “No One Like Our God” by Lincoln Brewster
- “Fall” by the Belonging Company
- “Take Me to the River” by the Desperation Band
- “Glorified” by New Life Worship
- “Yahweh” by New Life Worship
- “Overcome” by New Life Worship
- “The Wonderful Cross” by Michael W. Smith
- “Lord Have Mercy” by Michael W. Smith
- “Do it Again” by Elevation Worship
With Love,
Deb and the Help Club for Moms Team
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I remember going into my daughter's room night after night and kneeling beside her bed and crying my heart out to God because I didn’t know how to be a Christian mom; I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. You know what? God is so faithful! He answered me and simply said, “Spend time with me, Deb.” And so I did. I began arising 15-30 minutes earlier each day so I could read my Bible and pray, and plan out my day with my family.
If there was one thing I would love to share with you is that God is personal and loves you as you are. You don’t have to be perfect to be loved by our amazing God! Come as you are! His loving presence can be practically known and experienced. He is not a God who is far away, He is near and easily found. He longs for you to come to Him!
Randy and I have been married for 33 years and we have two grown children, Christie, and Jack, and one answer to prayer son-in-law named Alex. And now I get to be a Gigi to my sweet little grandbabies, Aspen and Skylar, and Piper. Yay!
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