Weapon.

This might be long but I feel it's worth taking a look at. Hopefully it encourages you...

There's been such a spiritual battle lately in my life pertaining to what God has promised me a while ago. There have been many times I fought and continue to still fight times of doubt, discouragement, insecurities, and uncertainties. As I was in prayer during a time of unrest in my heart I felt God speak to my heart, "Gaze upon me, gaze upon me, gaze upon me. I will show you my goodness. The battle is Mine." In my heart, I responded back, "Why gaze upon you? There's a battle that needs to be fought and how can you fight for me? Show me how!" Then God responded back by reminding me of a story about a king who let God do the fighting.

In this story, King Jehoshaphat was coming under attack from his enemies. "Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah" (2 Chronicles 20:2-3).

So imagine possibly thousands upon thousands of your own worst enemies coming in from every side and from everywhere. Jehoshaphat was pretty freaked out. But what did he do? Did he run? Did he complain? No... he purposely "set his face to seek the LORD". While we may not experience this type of warfare in our lives, we daily fight a spirutual one. The Bible says, "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). We daily struggle against sin, our flesh, strongholds of the mind, lies spoken to us by the enemy, etc. We need to constantly set our hearts in worshipping God, being intimate with Him, and trusting that He will carry out the victory and promises He has given.

So Jehoshaphat called a national fast and during the fast a prophet named Jahaziel proclaimed this: "You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you" (2 Chronicles 20:17).

What I find interesting was that up until this point, God has been telling Israel to fight. But now we have a reversal. God told them that they don't need to fight but to not move but just "watch" God do His thing. This is something different... way different from what they were used to! God was giving reminding them that their previous wars were not fought by their own great strength but it was really God that fought for them. And now we see it being made manifest.

In my own life, I find that I need to let His will be done through me, not imposing my own will using Jesus Name. The night before His crucifxion, Jesus Christ also faced great warfare when He was in prayer before His Father. He agonized all night as a man (He was and is also God) asking His Father that if it's possible to let the cup of suffering pass. But He knew what His Father sent for Him to do- to attone for the sins of the world. And Jesus simply surrendered and said "Not My will but Your will be done." When God speaks a promise to you, He is faithful to accomplish it no matter how great the opposition is!

Back to the story...

Jeshaphat was then instructed to basically send out the priests and worship the Lord. "And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,'Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever'" (2 Chronicles 20:21). Normally, it would be logical to send out your army but God said "Nope! Bring out the worshippers to give thanks to My Name and declare that My Love never fails!"

And here's the weapon in warfare: WORSHIP

When we encounter God in worship, we receive a revelation of who He truly is. I am reminded of when Moses encountered who God is and here's the revelation: "The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6).

Why does God show Himself like that? It's because a revelation of His goodness and love toward us will keep us believing and standing firm in the promises He made to us. As we worship, the attacks and lies from the enemy won't be able to affect us because we know that God is faithful and that His promises are Yes and Amen. As we worship, God shows up, our faith will grow stronger, and we realize the victory already is ours because He promised so. God is not a liar and He keeps His promises!

"No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised" (Romans 4:20-21)

And that's what I exactly need to do heading into this time of warfare in my life. Give glory to my God. Fix my eyes on Jesus and allow Him to love on me and allow myself to fall in love with Him. And as I do I will grow stronger in my faith and assurance will reign in my heart. And that only comes through daily worshipping Him. Worship is my greatest weapon in the midst of warfare. His love is what keeps me believing. His mercy makes me triumph over my enemies.

"When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.

One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:2-4)