Laying down our weapons of worship.

A better way to win the battles of life.

Photo by Road Trip with Raj on Unsplash 

Have you ever stood on the ocean's edge, watching the clouds roll in, feeling the apprehension of an impending storm?

That's what reading 2 Chronicles 20 feels like to me. You know the one. Every good Worship Leader or Pastor has preached on it - it's a classic.

The worshippers lead the way into battle.

Recently, I've been wondering if there's something more going on - something far better than I have thought for years. Something that can help us all as we face life, wanting to respond well in the face of opposition.

Picture this...

For God's people, Israel; 

There is a war coming.

The enemies are rallying.  

They are about to descend.

And as King Jehoshaphat is ruling Israel, he receives a message.

"A vast army is coming against you from Edom."

And the message has its desired effect - it causes terror and alarm in the hearts of the king and the people. Israel is at a loss to know how to face the battle.

But Jehoshaphat isn't just any King (if you have read the Old Testament before, you know that most of the Kings fail to please God. They don't lead with righteousness or seek God - they do whatever they please). 

Not Jehosophat because he is a good King. The Bible tells us that he;

"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."

In the face of a challenge - right in front of the battle, he decided to wait and call the nation to prayer. And the people do it. The scripture says;

"All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord."

And they ALL stop and wait on the Lord. 

Then, as they do, the King says something that has become my heart's prayer since I reread this story during Covid, as if for the first time.

Jehoshaphat says in verse 12;

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are fixed on you."

Don't you love that!

Never has a more true prayer been prayed. When we are at a loss, fixing our eyes on Jesus is the very best decision we can make. It reminds me of Peter stepping out on the water - fixing his eyes on Jesus caused him to be able to endure, and it was only as he diverted his gaze from the Lord that he sank.