ODJ: Singers on the Frontline

September 15, 2018 

READ: 2 Chronicles 20:13-22 

At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves (v.22).

It was the night before a job fair, and my husband was discouraged. Past attempts to land a job had failed, and he felt that meeting with recruiters would only lead to more dead ends. But he realised God was greater than his fears (Isaiah 41:10), so before practising possible interview questions, we decided to meditate on specific, encouraging passages of Scripture. We also prayed and recounted God’s numerous blessings. By the end of the evening, we both experienced a sense of peace even amid our fears.

King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah also experienced fear in the face of great danger. They’d just received news that a vast army was coming towards them. Jehoshaphat became fearful but didn’t allow fear to paralyse him. Instead he turned to God, sought His counsel and called for a national fast (2 Chronicles 20:3).

God spoke to all of Judah through one of the Levites and said, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v.15). He declared His ownership over the situation and assured them He was not only with them, but fighting for them. God also gave them specific, counterintuitive instructions, “You will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory” (v.17).

The people responded in confident worship and praise. They obeyed God fully and even sent the singers to the frontline of the battle. As soon as they were singing, He brought victory and caused the vast army to “start fighting among themselves” (v.22).

God may not always change our circumstances, but we can choose to praise Him as we face them—knowing He’s with us and is greater than our fears.

—Estera Pirosca Escobar

365-day plan: John 14:15-31