Daily Affirmations - Day 3 - Take Up Your Positions - Sing and Praise the Lord
Day 3: Sing and praise the Lord
Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness... As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men... who were invading Judah, and they were defeated (2 Chronicles 20:21-22).
To be quieted, and calmed, and assured is really to be saved from the sting of trial. The trial itself is nothing if it does not bring a sting to your soul... All the poverty and all the pain in the world would prevail nothing if the evil of it did not enter into the soul and vex it.
So, in this emergency, God began to answer His people by quieting them. “Be not afraid nor dismayed, for the battle is not yours but God’s: the LORD will be with you.” As that gracious promise calmed their fears so that they were able without fear to face the impending attack, then they received distinct direction what to do... the day of the assault. That direction was, “Go out to meet the foe.”
How often has God given His people deliverance by quieting them as to their course of action. Already the step they have taken has delivered them before they know it. The Israelites, by then marching out to meet the foe—and marching out with songs and hosannas—were doing the best possible thing to rout their foes.
Then came the real providence—they received actual deliverance... When the people... came to their foes they found there were no foes. There they lay all stark and dead. None of the men of might could raise their hands against those whom God had favored.
God [will also] deliver you— in answer to prayer He will be your defense. Therefore, sing unto His name. Did not He deliver you when you went out to meet the great army of your sins? You saw that Christ had put them away and your heart danced within you as you said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus...”
So has it been with a great many troubles that have appeared to you to be overwhelming. When you have come to them... they have disappeared. They have been cleared out of your way as you have advanced and you have had nothing to do but to sing and praise the name of the Lord..
~ C. H. Spurgeon, The Singing Army
The trusting heart to Jesus clings,
Nor any ill forbodes,
But at the cross of Calv'ry sings,
Praise God for lifted loads
Refrain:
Singing, I go along life's road,
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;
Singing, I go along life's road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.
The passing days bring many cares,
"Fear not," I hear Him say,
And when my fears are turned to pray'rs,
The burdens slip away.
He tells me of my Father's love
And never slumb'ring eye;
My everlasting King above
Will all my needs supply.
When to the throne of grace I flee,
I find the promise true,
The mighty arms upholding me
Will bear my burdens too.
~ E. E. Hewitt, 1898
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