Thursday, October 9, 2008

The Battle Cry

We are living in what seems perilous times. The news can seem quite frightening, as it comes at us night after night into our homes by way of the nightly news. I must admit I am quite addicted to watching it lately. It seems so much is a stake. So I have been asking God how am I suppose to respond to all this????


This is how He has answered me. Now is NOT the time to be focused on the impending doom, and all the destruction we keep hearing about. Instead it is time to keep our focus on what is eternal, what is good, and most of all what is God's Battle Plan. I was reminded this week of King Jehoshaphat, when the nation of Israel was facing certain destruction. Jehoshaphat went before God, and this is what He told Him in 2 Chron. 20:15...do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude. For the battle is not your, but Gods.

So what did Jehoshaphat do? He gathered his people and instead of taking up arms and fighting the enemy, he sent out the singers, the dancers, the musicians, and the people began to praise God and to declare His goodness and mercy

2Ch 20:22 "As soon as they started shouting and praising, GOD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead."
How cool it that...? I love this kind of battle strategy.

In Psalms 149 we see further evidence that Praise is indeed a weapon!

Praise Jehovah! Sing to Jehovah a new song, His praise in the congregation of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; let the sons of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His name in the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
For Jehovah takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to carry out vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples,
to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with iron-bands,
to carry out on them the judgment written; this is an honor for all His saints. Praise Jehovah!

I know that this sounds so strange and completely the opposite of what we think we should be doing during such serious times, but in all these years I have been serving God I have figured out a thing or two and one of those things is that God's ways and my ways are not usually the same. So I am trying here to see things His way =]

I believe as we declare the goodness of God, and praise Him, especially when what we see in the natural looks so ominous, that it does indeed confound the enemy. He gets confused and starts to loose much ground. This Psalm even indicates that our praises bind the enemy and put him in chains... So that is my Battle Cry...The High Praises of God in my mouth!!!!

19 comments:

Pappy said...

Great thoughts for these frantic times. Pappy

Vee said...

Earlier this morning, I popped in long enough to read this wonderful post. Got interrupted, but I'm back!

This is just about the best thing I've read in Blogdom with regard to the current situation. Lovella's post today at What Matters Most is right up there, too.

You've certainly helped me with my perspective. It's getting terribly exciting these days paying two mortgages! I know that there are so many who are hurting and there's so much fear around the world. We need the faith that can move mountains and that comes from the Lord Himself.

Keep on sharing from your heart!

CIELO said...

What a precious post.... Indeed, it is time to keep our focus on what is eternal, what is good, and most of all what is God's Battle Plan.... He's coming, yes, hurry Lord!

You my friend, keep the faith burning.... and blessings to you and yours...

Hugs

cielo

Sandy said...

Yip, we were never told to worry and fret, were we? Great post!
I have a new BG post up :) Thanks for your encouragement too.

Sandy

Judy said...

What timely advice...especially as we celebrate Thanksgiving here in Canada this weekend! Forget the woes...and praise Him from whom all blessings flow.

Anonymous said...

What a great post! The Lord has been teaching me the same sort of thing lately. That we are to CHOOSE what we meditate on ... and out of that we will speak things that honor the Lord. If we can worry, we can meditate ... and we can choose to meditate on Godly things that bring success and joy into our lives.

Strider said...

"For the battle is not your, but Gods." This quote, and your post, is right on! Think about it...whether things are going great or not, He is still God and we can trust Him!

Lavinia said...

You've hit the nail on the head. Wonderful post, just wonderful. This 'battle cry' needs to be read, and more importantly, heeded. Praise Him to the skies, rely on Him in all things..... reminds me of something I once read on someone's blog: Don't tell God how big the problem is, tell the problem how big God is.

Amen!

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

I loved this post! It just keeps coming to me an old song that said something like..Lift your head unto the eastern sky your redemption draweth nigh.
This is truly an exciting time and I love Him!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for sharing.
Through your blog, a lot of people including me of course have a chance to read and learn from.
I have read some of your post and I really enjoyed reading it.
Thanks again and looking forward for more of your posting soon!

Charm and Grace said...

I am loving catching up on your posts and the wonderful fresh feeling that I got upon seeing your latest post. Yes, praise during uncertain times is a must... that is why it is so important to stay in God's word so that you have something to praise Him with when life begins to squeeze. I loved your thoughts on living epistles... one of my favorite musicians, Michael Card, has a song called Poiema in which he talks about us being living letters... that God is writing the poem of our life. From a reader like me, it is exciting to think about life in that context, and praise must be an integral part of that poetry.

Thanks for welcoming me back with your sweet comment this morning. And let me encourage you not to neglect your painting... it's a gift from Him just like the writing.

Blessings,
Christi

Barbara said...

Absolutely. Amen. Good exposition. Our God Reigns, He still holds the world in His hands and His purposes are being worked out. He knows the beginning from the end. He is in control.

Alice said...

You are such a wonderful teacher. I really needed to read those words today. Thank you.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

I'm right there with you, arms raised, singing with all my heart! This is such an uplifting message...thanks!

Knitting Mania said...

PTL for this inspiring post!!!!

Let our "Battle Cry" go forth!!!!

Hugs...Sis

Technonana said...

On Sept. 29, as I was studing my devotional for the morning... The title was, "That you may Know."
My question to the Father was, 'That I may know what." His answer..."That I Am." Nothing more.
Whatelse did He need to say?

nanatrish said...

Thanks for dropping by and leaving your kind words about my illness. I pray all is well with you and your darling little puddin toes. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Strider said...

What did you do....quit blogging?

Jessica said...

I love you Cindy! Thanks for the comment on my blog. This post is SO good! I love reading about your life. It gives me hope for my future. I'm excited to see how my life unfolds!!

LOVE you Cindy,
- Jess <><

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