PRAISE IN THE BATTLE

“Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands—"
Psalms 149:6 NLT

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT
Each morning when I wake, the Lord has a song playing in my mind. This morning was:

Singing Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed but alive in Your hands
We're singing Majesty, we're singing Majesty
Forever, forever I am changed by Your love
In the presence of Your Majesty
-Michael W. Smith, “Majesty”

I thought it interesting that this song was what God chose to wake me with this morning. Combined with the scripture I read, it made me think.

"Let the praises of God be in their mouths and a sharp sword in their hands,” Psalm 149:6.

Many times I feel overwhelmed by my circumstance. I feel like there is just nothing I can do, but then (again, God loves the “but”) the Lord puts things into perspective. When I praise Him and meditate on Him, I realize what a mighty God I serve. He saves and delivers me from what I see and even what I do not see.

This morning, I woke empty handed but now I read that I am "armed with a sharp sword in my hands". I like to think the music I listen to prepares me in my daily battle to walk in and walk through this world. As I considered the contrast of the song and the scripture, I came to realize that I do come before the Lord "empty handed", but then He arms me. I thought of David being given Saul's armor and how it would have never worked out if He had chosen to put on the armor of man. Instead, He gathered five smooth stones and headed into battle with nothing other than the weapon in His hand and the praises of God on his tongue.

David said to the Philistine in 1 Samuel 17:45-46, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”

I wish we could all be like David and stand in the face of the enemy with praise and faith that defy the odds. Too many of us are in the army, but afraid to use the weapons of our warfare. Better yet, we may not even be trained to use them.

Just now the Lord spoke to me and said, "The leader of the army sets the tone for battle." Saul was afraid and so were his men. Saul's understanding of God couldn't rival David's faith in God. If our leader is unable to face giants, we will most likely be unable to face them as well. But (there it is again) there is always a David. The Lord chose him to take Saul's place as king not because he was a great warrior, but because he had great faith. He knew God and he proclaimed who God is. Did he screw up? Sure, he rivals me in that area. However, he knew God and trusted Him.

I am blessed to have a pastor who worships and knows God. I am thankful he is leading me into the battle without fear. This is not to glorify my pastor, but to glorify the one he trusts and serves.

Enter the battle "empty handed" and allow God to arm you in your time of worship.
Take a moment to comment and tell us how God has influenced your battles.