Praise
2 Chronicles 20:21:
When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy splendour, as they went before the army, saying,
‘Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.’
Today we begin the third week with a focus on “Turn the battle at the gate,” a phrase from Isaiah 28:6. God promises through the prophet that “in that day” there will be strength for those who turn the battle at the gate.
What “day” does Isaiah mean? When we read the Old Testament prophets, some prophecies give God’s perspective on the immediate circumstances and some on the future, but the New Testament shows that all can be interpreted through the lens of the Cross and all have spiritual significance to us. It might be a day when the remnant of Judah returned to the Land or it might be the “day” Jesus referred to as the end of time. Whichever interpretation of “day” we prefer, the sense is clear for us who face spiritual battles every day - we need the Lord’s help and strength every day!
What about the gate? It was critical in times of war that the gates were shut except to allow defenders out to fight. The Hebrew language is flexible enough for this verse to be translated and understood in three different ways. It is about either defending the city successfully when it seems the enemy is about to break down the gates, or driving the enemy back to its own city gates, or returning victoriously to the city.
Whichever way we understand it, to turn the battle means living victoriously as Christians and playing our part in seeing the Kingdom come. Every prayer, every declaration made in the Holy Spirit, every act of humble obedience to God matters. Each one brings in the Kingdom and contributes to those around us being set free!
As Christians we do not fight people: the New Testament teaching about loving enemies and being peacemakers is clear. Instead we face spiritual battles with demonic powers bringing bondage, deception, sickness, injustice or conflict etc. We fight with spiritual weapons and each day this week we will focus on a different spiritual weapon.
The first weapon is praise.
Jehoshaphat faced a major battle with an enemy that seemed overpowering. So he led the people in prayer and fasting. He waited until there was a prophetic word to confirm what they should do: “Stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord!”
The human response would be fear. The Spirit-led response is praise.
It might seem we do nothing except stand firm and wait for God to act, but in fact singing or shouting out praise was a vital weapon that released God’s power. Then they could stand and watch what the Lord did!
We do not always need instruments and singers. But we do need to use our voices to express praise and thanks to God … in advance of seeing the breakthrough!
- Chris Horton
When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy splendour, as they went before the army, saying,
‘Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.’
Today we begin the third week with a focus on “Turn the battle at the gate,” a phrase from Isaiah 28:6. God promises through the prophet that “in that day” there will be strength for those who turn the battle at the gate.
What “day” does Isaiah mean? When we read the Old Testament prophets, some prophecies give God’s perspective on the immediate circumstances and some on the future, but the New Testament shows that all can be interpreted through the lens of the Cross and all have spiritual significance to us. It might be a day when the remnant of Judah returned to the Land or it might be the “day” Jesus referred to as the end of time. Whichever interpretation of “day” we prefer, the sense is clear for us who face spiritual battles every day - we need the Lord’s help and strength every day!
What about the gate? It was critical in times of war that the gates were shut except to allow defenders out to fight. The Hebrew language is flexible enough for this verse to be translated and understood in three different ways. It is about either defending the city successfully when it seems the enemy is about to break down the gates, or driving the enemy back to its own city gates, or returning victoriously to the city.
Whichever way we understand it, to turn the battle means living victoriously as Christians and playing our part in seeing the Kingdom come. Every prayer, every declaration made in the Holy Spirit, every act of humble obedience to God matters. Each one brings in the Kingdom and contributes to those around us being set free!
As Christians we do not fight people: the New Testament teaching about loving enemies and being peacemakers is clear. Instead we face spiritual battles with demonic powers bringing bondage, deception, sickness, injustice or conflict etc. We fight with spiritual weapons and each day this week we will focus on a different spiritual weapon.
The first weapon is praise.
Jehoshaphat faced a major battle with an enemy that seemed overpowering. So he led the people in prayer and fasting. He waited until there was a prophetic word to confirm what they should do: “Stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord!”
The human response would be fear. The Spirit-led response is praise.
It might seem we do nothing except stand firm and wait for God to act, but in fact singing or shouting out praise was a vital weapon that released God’s power. Then they could stand and watch what the Lord did!
We do not always need instruments and singers. But we do need to use our voices to express praise and thanks to God … in advance of seeing the breakthrough!
- Chris Horton
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