Victory's Melody

I was in a little church not too long ago that was small in number but big in praise. There were about twenty in attendance and the only musical instrument was an off-key piano. There was a man sitting directly behind me that may have been a bit off-key as well but oh how he praised! I quit singing my off-key notes to listen to him.

I smiled as I listened to the exuberant, emotional, heart-felt praise he was putting into every word of the song. I smiled because I knew just a bit of his "story". I was told even as a child he had had struggles, some of which seemed almost insurmountable. As of late he had lost his wife, his home and his mother was struggling with early onset Alzheimer's....but you certainly wouldn't have known it by listening to his singing.

Praise and worship from God's children is such a powerful thing. "Make a joyful noise" God says. It's always perfect when it's from the heart; however, our praise rising up to Him in the middle of our trouble carries the power of His very Spirit and moves Him in a way like no other praise will. As I think on this I'm reminded of a rather strange tale of a long-ago king and a very off-the-wall battle strategy.

The king had been told a massive army with war on their agenda was coming to his kingdom. He was a godly king who prayed daily so, in his natural course of action, he prayed to the God of Heaven for help. In fact, he calls everyone in his kingdom together for prayer. He stands before them reminding them of the mighty God they served and what this God had done for them in the past. As their prayers come to an end he concludes with "God, we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You." Then his God speaks to all of them through His prophet saying "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. The battle is not yours but Mine." Then they were told they would move out "tomorrow".

Early the next morning the king gathers all his brave men, warriors and foot soldiers for battle, armor clanging as swords were placed in their sheaths and horses readied for what lay ahead. As they mount and assemble in formation, with their king at the head, he speaks words of encouragement and faith assuring them they have nothing to fear then, I am sure to the amazement of every warrior (seasoned or not), he calls all of the temple singers and worshipers to the front line! He tells them to sing praises to the Lord for His splendor and holiness. He tells them to sing victory's melody as they lead skilled warriors into a battle with a pre-determined outcome.

As they move out the worshipers sang thanks to the Lord for His everlasting love. As their song carried forward, the Lord rode on the wings of those praises and destroyed every enemy headed their way. When that band of warriors and worshipers arrived at the place of battle and topped the hill of what should have been defeat all they saw before them were dead bodies strewn across the valley's floor mixed with the weapons, armor, horses and riches of their enemy.

The king and his men marched into what was rumored a battle but all they had to do was pick up the plunder of the enemy that their God had provided them. As they returned to their city they brought not only monetary value but the value of joyful praise as well. "The Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies".

God is the creator and He is still in the business of creating. He takes our earthly praises, meshes them with the perfect praise of the angels around the throne and composes a melody fit for The King, only found in Heaven's sanctuary. You see, God hears the beauty in our broken songs and off-key notes. Out of sometimes mis-sung sharps and pointed flats He captures a melody so beautifully powerful it makes all of hell tremble. The melody of heart-felt praise in sacrifice to our Heavenly Father is fashioned into a weapon that can not be reckoned with because our God inhabits those praises. Our Father God injects His Spirit, His very essence, into every note, pause and refrain we send up to Him then hurls them back upon our enemies like missiles designed for annihilation. No wonder the enemy detests our praises! No wonder he tries to create confusion, complaining and concern! If he can disrupt our praise through these devices he can invade the very arsenal being stored in the heavenlies.

So, I say to you in your crisis, let your praises flow for they all ring beautiful as they combine and rush through the gates to our Master. Belt that song that's in your heart out to your Heavenly Father. Lift your voice to God in triumph! Sing the melody of victory! Sing that heart-song and watch as the enemy trembles at the notes that rise up to God in powerful testimony of your trust and His greatness.

Sing mighty warrior of God, load your weapons and sing! II Chronicles 20:15-29