PREPARE FOR BATTLE By David Ritter

In II Chronicles 20:15-22, the Lord declares to Jehosophat, “Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not have to fight this battle.  Take up your position; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you!”  Jehosophat said to his people, “Have faith in God and you will be upheld; have faith in His prophets and you will be successful.”  Jehosophat then appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness.  They sang “Give thanks to the Lord for His love endures forever.”  As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy and they won the battle!  

It is critical to note that God didn’t say, “stay home...don’t be concerned, just relax...I’ll take care of the rest.”  Rather, He required that they position themselves as though they were about to engage in battle!  I believe that one may interpret this that God is saying, “Rehearse!  Practice!  Prepare your hearts for battle!”  As you study the Word, pray and worship God, you are literally turnng the battle over to Him.  That’s when you praise Him for His goodness and His love that endures forever.

Stand back and see the salvation of your king; He will reveal Himself to you!  Jonathan said, “The Lord is not constrained to win by many or by few...if God is on our side, we will have victory!”

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t “feel” anything.  Most people generally don’t come away with an euphoric high during praise.  The scriptures don’t tell us, “Worship and praise the Lord until you feel something.”  Rather, it is the doorway into His presence.  He wants to reveal Himself through word of knowledge, healing, prophecy, discernment, and manifestations of the fruit and gifts of the Spirit, and the best way for that to happen is through the vehicle of praise and worship.

Many of us are born into difficult and tragic situations…some were abused and neglected as children and still suffer from dysfunctions as a result.  Still others struggle with sexual sins, abuse, lusts, homosexuality, alcohol and drug addictions.  It is not a sin to be born under such conditions or to have temptations; it is only a sin when you refuse to surrender yourself to Jesus and let God begin to shape you into His image!  It is in praise and worship that these enemies of your soul are destroyed!  God is more concerned about the attitude of your heart than He is about the things you do...(although He does expect us to attempt to walk in obedience).  If you are obedient to what He has called you to do, (and that is to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth), then “stand back and see” what incredible things will take place!

One of my favorite Scriptures is found in Joshua 3:5..."Consecrate yourselves and the Lord will do amazing things among you!" Let God fight your battles, but be prepared by separating yourself from the world's ways!  Remember, God can NOT be held back by anything! Consecrate yourself! AMEN!