Battle Choir

Somewhere in Judah (2 Chronicles 20)…

So let me get this straight. We’re surrounded by three armies. They all want to kill us. They’re on the other side of the hill we’re walking toward, and I am in front?

I’m a singer! I don’t have a sword. I have a songbook. A songbook! What good is that going to do me in the battle? Nothing, zip, zilch, bupkis. Except I know something the Ammonites, Moabites and Meunites… is that even a country? Who ever heard of Meunites? Anyway, I know something they don’t. I know that God has promised to give us the victory. Hey, He even said we wouldn’t have to lift a finger in this battle. Just stand still and watch what God does.

So, that explains the soldiers being behind the choir, I guess. No sense sending the army out front if they aren’t going to fight. Nope, time for the choir to do our thing. It is time for us to praise and worship. We haven’t seen the dead armies yet, but God said it would happen, so we will sing his praises as loud as we can.

Oh, I love this song! I’m going to sing this one really loud! “Our God is greater, Our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other, Our God is Healer, Awesome in power Our God, Our God…”

While I am singing, I hear a noise from the other side of the hill. It could be the armies getting ready to come kill us. It sure sounds like something I’ve never heard before. No, I’ve never doubted God before, I’m not going to start now. “Our God is greater, Our God is stronger, God you are higher…”

As I crest the hill, I see something that nobody expected. In the valley below me are three armies, armed to the hilt, and dressed in battle gear, with swords, shields and all kinds of weapons. The weird thing is that they are all dead. All of them! All three armies have killed each other! There’s nothing for us to do now but pick up all the cool stuff left behind. I’m gonna grab one of those cool Ammonite helmets. It will look sharp on my mantle at home…

Four days later…

I’m getting tired of carrying plunder. We’ve been hauling stuff away for four days now. Gold, treasures, weapons, amazing stuff! But enough is enough! My arms are tired, my feet hurt and some of these bodies are starting to smell funky. I hope we’re almost finished. I’m a singer, not a pack mule! Still, you have to be amazed at how God came through. Three armies coming to kill us and God lets them kill each other while we just stand and watch. What did the prophet say?

“Don’t be afraid; don’t pay any mind to this vandal horde. This is God’s war, not yours… You won’t have to lift a finger in this battle… watch God’s saving work for you take shape… March out boldly tomorrow, God is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17 The Message)

Have you ever felt surrounded? Surrounded by pain, by sin or by temptation? It’s easy to forget that God has promised to deliver us, to save us and keep us. That song I quoted above is by Chris Tomlin, and I love it. It is so powerful and so true. If you are struggling today, you need to meet the God who saves and delivers. I would love to help you on that journey, just drop me a line: jerry@remnantchurchonline.com

God has great things for you, you just need to trust him.

Singing at the top of my lungs… Jerry