How to Raise a Hallelujah When Life Is Hard

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21

One of my most treasured memories of grade school was participating in the Christmas Pageant. One year, I got to sing We Three Kings with my two best friends. Oh, how fun it was to sing in front of the whole congregation on Christmas Eve! I remember feeling excitement and joy as I burst into song, making melody with my friends.

After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. 2 Chronicles 20:21a

My friends and I were the appointed singers, walking ahead of the preacher and his message of hope, singing to the Lord, and praising Him.

Singing in the Army’s Choir

It is easy to praise God when life is going well, finances are in order, our families are healthy, and the world seems to be at peace. But when we are faced with a dangerous battle, singing praise is not intuitive. Unlike raising a hallelujah at the Christmas Pageant, marching in the Army’s Choir may feel counterintuitive. But it is with our praise that we will defeat our enemy.

In 2 Chronicles 20, we find King Jehoshaphat at war against the Moabites and the Ammonites, not to mention a few Meunites thrown in for good measure. When faced with a ferocious enemy, King Jehoshaphat’s immediate response was to turn to God in prayer, praise, and fasting.

The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:4

The LORD responds by sending a word to them delivered by Jahaziel. This is what the LORD said to them; “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15b)

King Jehoshaphat then appointed men to go out ahead of the Army and sing. Yes, to sing to the Lord and to praise him! Not to go spy on their enemy. The king did not draw up a detailed battle plan. Nor did he march out the army to charge the other side. No, the King ordered men to go forth, raising a hallelujah, and singing.

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21

I love the twist this story takes. I would have expected the words “for the battle is not yours” to be a symbolic statement, but leave it to God to show us how much we can trust His Word by making this a literal statement. While Judah’s army began praising and worshiping the Lord, the enemy fell into a state of confusion and ended up killing each other! Raising a hallelujah is what gave Judah the victory.

Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever. 2 Chronicles 20:21b

We can let God fight for us by realizing the battle is not ours in the first place, letting God’s strength work through our fears, and using our melody as our weapon. The best time to raise a Hallelujah is in the presence of our enemy.

In Lisa Bevere’s book, Girls with Swords: How to Carry Your Cross Like a Hero, she says:

“There is such power in praise. I believe that when we sing God’s Word, we make the enemy shake and tremble with fear. As we wield words of adoration and gratitude—often spoken as songs—heaven is accessed, and an audience in the courts of our Father is granted. The combination of musical instruments and song has the power to alter the very environment that surrounds us.” – Lisa Bevere

When you feel surrounded by life’s battles, fight back with praise. Praise shifts your focus from your problems to God’s presence. Songs have the power to alter the very environment we live in. I know I have felt that happen when I turn on worship music. How about you?

Do you feel the enemy attacking you during these troubling times? What songs are you listening to in order to fight your battles?

Heavenly Father, we raise a hallelujah in the face of our enemy. We sing a song of thanks to you because your love endures forever. Our weapon of praise marches before us as you fight our battles for us. Praise your name. Amen.

If you want to read about 7 Ways Worship Helps Us Battle the Blues, I write about that HERE.