praise

by

His Way

I spent some time in prayer with a friend this week. We spent some of that time in worship with one of my new favorite songs, Defender by Rita Springer. It was just released with her new album Battles.

Here are some of the lyrics:

You go before I know, that You’ve even gone to win my war. You come back with the head of my enemy. You come back and You call it my victory… and all I did was praise, and all I did was worship…Hallelujah, You have saved me, so much better Your way.

As we worshiped my friend saw this picture. She saw herself on a plateau, facing an insurmountable wall of rock leading to the next plateau. On the face of the rock was a ladder. She was trying to climb it while trying to help her two little children up the ladder ahead of her and trying to pull her discouraged husband up the ladder behind her.

One side of the ladder kept breaking loose, making her task of getting her family up to the next plateau impossible. As we worshiped, she saw the plateau she was on begin to rise up with her and her family on it. The plateau rose until it was even with the one that had been above it. Now instead of climbing up, she and her family could now step over.

We may try to fight battles or climb ladders in our own strength and effort, but when we rest in Him, He can cause us to rise on His wings in victory.

We rest. We praise. We worship. He wars and He wins. He calls it our victory. His way is better.

Every valley shall be lifted up and filed up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low… And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed… Isaiah 40:4,5

 

 

by

I Sing of Your Love

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. (2 Chronicles 20:21-22, 24; KJV)

We’ve all read and heard of this account. A mighty army is marching toward Jerusalem ready to wipe her off the map. Her enemies have joined forces. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, seeks the LORD, because without Him they have no hope. But they are not without Him! Neither are we.

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid or dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15, KJV)

Now many of us remember this account because of the strategy Judah’s army used to go into battle. They put the singers out front. I’ve heard many a preacher say, “How would you like to be one of those singers marching out in front of that army into battle?” But as we know, they never had to physically battle anyone that day. Because when they started singing, God moved and the multitude was defeated. Not one escaped.

As I read this account today one little detail stood out to me. What were they singing? In the King James it says they sang, “Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.” Here’s what it says in the New Living Translation.

Give thanks to the LORD: his faithful love endures forever! (2 Chronicles 20:21, NLT)

They were singing of His love! It is the Hebrew word hesed… God’s unfailing love.

What are you facing today? Open your heart and your mouth and begin to sing of His love!

Lyrics from the song, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever:

Over the mountains and the sea,

Your river runs with love for me,

And I will open up my heart

And let the Healer set me free.

I’m happy to be in the truth,

And I will daily lift my hands:

For I will always sing of when

Your love came down.

I could sing of Your love forever.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136, NLT)