We are mightier than we know, more courageous than we feel, and we belong to a God who has promised all this is temporary. Someday the war will be over, the tears will be wiped away, and we will be strong forever. — Fiercehearted
“Our God. . . . we don’t know what to do . . .” (2 Chron. 20:12). Haven’t we all been in that place? The one where the answers don’t come. The plans are uncertain. Where everyone is counting on us and we want to count the steps to the exit.
What will we put after the pause in that sentence? I have filled it in so many ways.
“I don’t know what to do . . . so I’m going to eat another brownie.”
“I don’t know what to do . . . so I’m going to listen to the latest expert.”
“I don’t know what to do . . . so I’m going to try harder to please everyone.”
We all have our favorites. And we can all probably learn from Jehoshaphat, who first spoke those words when a vast army was approaching. Because in that hard, scary moment, he said this: “Lord, we don’t know what to do . . . but our eyes are on you.”
We think we must know what to do, but in reality all we really need to know is Who. Because that’s what makes the difference. That’s what matters on the hard days. That’s what brings the victory.
After this declaration, Jehoshaphat did something we won’t find in any war instruction book or military briefing. He put the worshipers in front of the army. He led with the singers and the praisers. Not the generals, but the choir members.
This makes sense when we consider “the sword of the Spirit . . . is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Truth is a powerful weapon. And the truest thing of all is who God is. His character is a fortress and battering ram, an all-out assault against evil. This means worship is absolutely undefeatable.
Perhaps, too, the worshipers needed to go first as an act of war against fear. This battle didn’t look easily won. The Israelites were outnumbered, weary, and seemingly ready to be overrun.
Haven’t we felt like that sometimes, too? And in those moments, isn’t fear really our biggest enemy? It’s our Goliath, challenging us, and we are the trembling soldiers trying to put on our man-made armor. Because we know what is human is not going to be enough. Then we realize we have another option. Praise is the sling and the stones. The secret weapon. Stronger than our solutions. Mightier than our education and experience. More effective than a thousand bullet points.
So if we are unsure about what to do today, if the enemy is coming and the battle is raging and maybe we have even been wounded—let us stand our ground and raise our voices. Let us speak the truth about who God is and what He has done. How big He is. How much He loves us. How He has always held the universe and our little part of it in His hands.
We cannot lose with Him. We cannot be overcome.
As I stood listening to the music of praise in a crowded room recently, I saw a few of my sisters with arms raised. I know their stories. I’ve seen their scars. I realized those hands lifted to heaven aren’t empty—they are holding invisible swords. Not for fighting each other but for an unseen enemy.
Jehoshaphat won his battle. We will too.
To be a worshiper is to be a warrior.
XOXO,
Holley Gerth
P.S. This post is an excerpt from my brand new ebook: Strong, Brave, Loved. Would you join us for the 21 Day Strong, Brave, Loved Challenge? We’re one week in, but you can join any time. Visit this post to learn more and then head to my Facebook or Instagram pages for each day’s challenge and encouragement. You can easily start at the beginning – Day One – because the Challenge will stay up on both Facebook and Instagram!
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Right now, we’re doing a special link-up series to celebrate Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely. You’re a fiercehearted woman so I’m asking you to pour out a little love and courage with your words every Wednesday {the link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post, especially if it’s about living fully and loving bravely, and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
When you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth!
{click to tweet that you’re joining me here today}
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