Melodies Before the Miracle: Why Worship Leads the Way
A better way to win the battles of life.
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.
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 then King Jehoshaphat enters the scene, and unlike most Old Testament kings, Jehoshaphat 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... All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord."
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. And they ALL stop and wait on the Lord.